AN ELDERLY man had a lucky escape after unattended cooking caused his flat to go up in flames in Weymouth.

The third floor flat in Westhaven House, Radipole Lane, is now completely unliveable after a fire blazed through his sheltered accommodation flat at 7.45pm on Tuesday.

Two fire crews from Weymouth and one from Portland attended and extinguished the blaze – which they believe was started by unattended cooking in the kitchen area.

The flat was fitted with a smoke alarm and luckily the occupant got out of the flat without any serious injuries.

Phil Burridge, home safety co-ordinator for Dorset Fire and Rescue said: “Fires strike when you least expect them – often during the night.

“They spread quickly but it is smoke that is the real killer – if you are asleep when a fire starts and you don’t have an alarm to wake you your chances of surviving are zero.”

He added: “Smoke alarms can be purchased for around £5 – which is a small price to pay to save you and your loved ones.”

Weymouth and Portland Housing support manager Sherree Westwood said they are working with the fire service to find out the cause of the fire.

“Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident – the occupier was taken to Dorset County Hospital for a check up but was back again at Westhaven by midnight,” she said.

“The priority now is the welfare of the tenant and we are doing all we can to ensure that he is comfortable whilst his flat is quickly repaired so he can return home.”

The elderly occupant is able to stay in Westhaven House in another flat and is said to be very shocked about the incident. Mrs Westwood added that Weshaven House has strict safety regulations, fully fitted alarms, heat sensors and other safety equipment that remains in full working order.

Dorset Fire and Rescue have advised all householders to make sure they check their smoke alarm battery once a week, dust it every six months, change the battery every 12 months – unless it’s a 10-year alarm – and change the alarm every 10 years.

There are also alarms with strobe lighting and vibrating pads for people who are hard of hearing or deaf.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service provides free Home Safety checks.

Call 01305 252600 for more information.