'Enders plot prompts fire safety warning

Published Sep 9 2010, 18:00 BST  |  By Daniel Kilkelly

EastEnders' Queen Vic fire storyline has sparked a warning from the London Fire Brigade (LFB), which has spoken out to warn the public about the dangers of real-life blazes.

Later this evening, soap fans will see Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) set the Albert Square pub alight during a row with mum Peggy (Barbara Windsor), causing chaos and putting lives in jeopardy.

Amid the publicity surrounding tonight's much-anticipated episode, London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson has urged the public to prepare for the event of a fire by planning an escape route and purchasing a smoke alarm.

In a statement released on the LFB website, Dobson commented: "EastEnders is set to show how dramatic and distressing fire can be, but while we quickly forget about the latest television plot, the devastation of a serious house fire can stay with us for years.

"If everyone gets a smoke alarm, checks it regularly and also makes an escape plan we can make a real difference and prevent serious injury and deaths."

Figures released earlier this week showed that 50 people died in accidental fires last year - an increase of almost 20% compared to 2008. There was also an increase in the total number of accidental fires in the home.

> Click here to read more about tonight's EastEnders
> Click here to read our recent interview with Lee Salisbury, who directed the Queen Vic fire episode