OLD FOLKS A BURNING ISSUE
A freak pensioner fire in Froghill has led to a warning from firefighters as the region heads for its driest spell since 1375.
Retired woggle bender Alf Wilmshurst, 83, was sitting in his back garden gassing shrews when he burst into flames yesterday afternoon.
Crews from the Froghill Fire Service were called and arrived in time to extinguish Mr Wilmshurst before the fire took serious hold. He was later admitted to Froghill General and treated for shock and charred extremities.
Speaking after the event, firefighter Ted Denbigh, said: “Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to conflagration during long spells without rain. Being generally drier than younger people, they are up to seven times more likely to spontaneously combust.”
"It’s a good idea to dampen old folks regularly, about once an hour or so, and to take care to prevent them from ever fully drying out.” added firefighter Denbigh. “Immersing both feet in a bucket of water is usually enough to do the trick.
“Stub cigarettes out at a safe distance from your elderly relatives and make sure to put the end in an ash tray. Any external electrical appliances fitted to them should be unplugged before you retire for the night.”
The Editor writes:
Do any of our readers have unusual or amusing stories about senior citizens bursting into flame? The Observer will pay £10 for each one published.
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16/04/07 @ 06:24