Booze and fags are fatal fire risk says senior Croydon firefighter

Giving up cigarettes and alcohol can significantly cut the risk of being involved in a fatal house fire, Croydon’s senior firefighter has said.
Borough Commander Kevin Biggs said almost a third of fatal fires in London homes are alcohol related, while more than one in three are started by cigarettes or other smoking materials. 
He said: “Health reasons aside – what better excuse do you have to stop smoking and cut back on alcohol? 
“When people are intoxicated they are more likely to take risks, their responses become slower and they can fall asleep easily. “It’s a lethal combination.” 
Common causes of house fires included people failing to put cigarettes out properly, and candles or cooking being left unattended after people have fallen asleep.