ONE of Scotland's top fire bosses is calling on Glasgow residents to help protect their communities.

Members of the public are urged to help firefighters reach vulnerable residents to help prevent fire deaths.

Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay wants locals to arrange home fire safety visits - for themselves and their neighbours.

Mr Ramsay, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Director of Prevention and Protection, said: "Fire in the home can be both terrifying and tragic, but simple steps will significantly reduce the risk of it happening to us.

"I am calling on everyone to consider the risks in their homes and the homes of people around them, and then to take potentially life-saving action.

"Firefighters have the terrible experience of attending serious fires, where people have been killed or injured, that need never have happened.

"My message to everyone is don't let that happen to you or the people around you. Everyone can save lives and protect themselves and their families, friends and neighbours from fire."

The latest stage of the Join Scotland's Fight Against Fire campaign highlights the need for all homes to be ­protected by working smoke alarms.

SFRS chiefs also want householders to consider ­fitting a heat alarm in their kitchens - the room where most house fires start.

Mr Ramsay added: "The evidence is clear - working smoke alarms have saved lives and are absolutely essential items for every household.

"It is widely acknowledged that working smoke detectors raise the alarm very quickly, meaning there is less chance of fire causing serious injury to people and damage to property.

"More homes than ever are now protected by these life-saving devices and that has led to a noticeable reduction in the severity of the house fires we are called to tackle.

"That not only prevents serious injury or worse, it also means firefighters can bring a fire under control before flames, toxic smoke and heat cause severe damage to a home and rob householders of cherished possessions."

Watch Manager Andrea Sutherland is backing the warning call by telling how she and her crew found a woman who died during a kitchen fire.

Andrea said: "The lady had simply put something to cook in the oven.

"Like many cookers, her oven door had a handle where she hung oven gloves and a tea towel.

"As she slept the heat from the oven must have built up until it set the tea towel on fire. A neighbour spotted the smoke and called us. There were two smoke alarms fitted in the house but she had ­removed the batteries.

"If this lady had kept her batteries in, she would probably still be alive today."

Anyone can arrange a free home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS Freephone number 0800 0731 999 or by contacting their local fire station.

Further information on how to keep your home fire safe is available at www.fire scotland.gov.uk

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk