Firefighters are calling for smokers to take extra care 803 fires took place across county, between April 2009 and March 2018, where the main ignition was smoking related.

Cheshire fire statistics show that 59 per cent of fires caused by smoking happen in either the living room or the bedroom, 37 per cent of fires involved people living on their own and 16 per cent of people were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Smoking is the single biggest killer in accidental fires in the home, often because of careless behaviour such as smoking in bed.

Nick Evans, head of prevention said: “We are urging smokers to 'Put it Out, Right Out' either kicking the habit altogether, or ensuring that they always extinguish their cigarettes properly, especially last thing at night.

"It’s a fact that people are at least four times more likely to die in an accidental fire in the home, without a working smoke alarm, so we urge people to ensure they have these devices on every level in their home."

Cheshire Firefighters have released simple steps to the public to stop this problem.

Never smoke in bed. Take care when tired as it is 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.

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 leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended. They can easily overbalance as they burn down.

Use a heavy ashtray that cannot tip over easily and is made of a material that won't burn.

For more information visit the website cheshirefire.gov.uk/.