FIREFIGHTERS in Cambridgeshire have signed up to a national campaign to encourage smokers to stub out cigarettes. Launched on Monday, the campaign aims to reduce the number of fires started by smokers who failed to put out cigarettes, pipes or cigars pro

FIREFIGHTERS in Cambridgeshire have signed up to a national campaign to encourage smokers to stub out cigarettes.

Launched on Monday, the campaign aims to reduce the number of fires started by smokers who failed to put out cigarettes, pipes or cigars properly.

Experts at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said average damage caused by a house fire is £25,500. In the UK between 2000 and 2005 there was an average 120 deaths a year in accidental home fires caused by smoking materials.

Last year in Cambridgeshire two people died in separate house fires caused by smoking materials not being extinguished properly.

Maurice Moore, head of the service's community risk reduction, said: "All we are asking people to do is be extra careful and make sure when you put your cigarette out, it really is out. That final check could save you and your family's life.