Surrey Fire and Rescue have rejected suggestions from the Fire Brigade Union that response time was a factor in a Banstead house fire earlier this month where a person lost their life.
The service said the fire had already taken a firm hold of the house by the time firefighters were called to the scene on 19 March.
A Surrey Fire and Rescue spokesperson said the thoughts of everyone at the service was with the family and friends of the person who lost their life.
They added:
“Early detection of a fire is always key, it alerts someone to the fire and can also allow them the chance to get to a safer place before we arrive.
“In regards to this particular fire in Banstead, it is now clear from investigations that the fire had already taken a firm hold in the house by the time we got the first call from neighbours. Therefore, the claim that response time specifically played a factor in this individual sadly losing their life, is not correct.
“The only realistic way this person’s life would have been saved, is through proper prevention and protection work – a Safe and Well Visit and working smoke alarms would have very likely made a positive difference.”
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