FIREFIGHTERS are urging carers and landlords to install portable water misting units which they believe may have prevented a serious tower block blaze.

Crews were called to a fire on the 10th floor of a block of flats.

Firefighters discovered that the property had been fitted with a portable water misting unit which contained the fire until crews arrived.

Firefighters were quickly able to extinguish the fire with a small amount of water.

Nick Evans, head of Cheshire’s Fire Prevention team said: “Early detection is key and devices like this can prove vital, specifically in cases which involve some of the most vulnerable residents in our communities.

“This case involved a fire in flat which was already fitted with a portable sprinkler mist suppression unit.

“The device had activated instantly, alerting the residents to the fact that a fire had broken out, whilst also emitting a fine water mist which helped to contain the fire until crews arrived at the scene.”

The fire broke out in a tower block in Chester.

Portable water misting units are small devices which are totally self-contained and can simply be plugged into the nearest socket.

In the event of a fire they act as both a smoke alarm and also suppress fire, helping to prevent them from spreading.

Mr Evans added: “On this occasion the device proved vital in raising the alarm containing the fire until crews arrived at the scene ensuring that the fire did not spread and preventing any injuries from occurring.

“I truly believe that had this device not been fitted the outcome could have been far worse.”

Carers and landlords looking for more information about the devices should contact the fire prevention team on 01606 868490.