by Graham Tutthillgtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

People are being warned not to leave their laptop computers unattended, and to make sure they don’t block the air vents, following a fire at Dover.

Two fire crews were called to Auden Way off Astor Avenue on Thursday when a laptop caught light and set fire to other furniture.

It happened just after 4.20pm when the family of three adults and two children were alerted by a smoke alarm sounding. They immediately left the building and the fire service have praised them for taking the right action.

Fire-fighters wore breathing apparatus to help them tackle the blaze which caused fire and smoke damage to the first floor of the building. It took more than 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control. They also used a ventilation fan to clear the smoke.

Afterwards investigators found that a laptop computer had been placed on the floor and this had blocked the air vents on the bottom of the machine. It then overheated and caught fire, setting light to a nearby cabinet and television set.

A spokesman for the fire service said there were several messages from the incident.

Firstly, the importance of having a working smoke alarm and taking notice of it when it sounded. Secondly, don’t leave electrical appliances unattended while they are switched on.

And thirdly, make sure that there is sufficient space for air to circulate around laptop computers at all times.

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