SMOKERS have been warned to be vigilant after a discarded cigarette torched a house in Widnes.

The front porch of a Burnsall Drive house set fire after a cigarette was thrown from an upstairs window and landed in a gutter, setting light to the porch.

Firefighters used three fire engines to tackle the blaze which left which left the house filled with smoke.

The occupants had already left safely after smoke alarms activated at around 11pm on Thursday, May 14 and the house next door had to be evacuated.

Fortunately, no-one was injured but there was damage to the property and firefighters fear the outcome could have been much worse.

Station manager Andy Royle said: “Careless disposal of cigarettes is the single biggest killer in house fires, with over a third of all fire deaths in the country attributed to cigarettes.

“The family luckily had smoke alarms in their house, fitted by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, which alerted them to the fire and enabled them to escape without injury.

"I would strongly urge everyone to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their properties, that smokers make sure all smoking materials are fully and safely extinguished and that lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes are never left unattended.

“A simple, common sense approach to home safety can help prevent fires like this one.”

These simple steps can help prevent a smoking-related fire in the home:

• Put it out, right out. Make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished

 • Fit a smoke alarm and test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999

• Never smoke in bed. Take care when tired - it's very easy to fall asleep with a cigarette still burning which could, in turn, set furniture alight

• Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a lit cigarette starts a fire there could be less chance of an escape

• Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended. They can easily overbalance as they burn down

• Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can't tip over easily and is made of a material that won't burn.

For more home safety advice, visit cheshirefire.gov.uk.