No alarms in death fire home
Oct 9 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
TRIBUTES were paid last night to a newlywed couple who died after a fire in their home.
Maurice and Kaye Tooley died from the effects of smoke inhalation from the blaze early on Sunday.
Last night safety bosses confirmed the fire started after smoking materials – believed to be a cigarette – had set fire to a plastic bin bag in the kitchen.
No smoke alarms were fitted to the upstairs flat in Wharton Street, South Shields.
Mr Tooley, 47, had days earlier put up a plaque reading “K.M. Forever” outside their home to celebrate his wedding to the popular 25-year-old.
His daughter Rachel left a moving floral tribute to her father and step-mother outside their home.
A card read: “To Daddy and Kaye, I will always love you both more than anything, I’ll never forget you.”
Neighbours also paid their respects to the couple who recently got married.
One elderly woman said Mrs Tooley would say “Hello” to her in the street and how she always seemed friendly.
She added: “It’s such a tragedy. I know them no more than any of the others but they just seemed like a lovely couple. They will be together for eternity now.”
Another woman said: “I knew the girl and she was very bubbly, a lovely girl.”
Neighbours said Mrs Tooley’s earlier relationship had ended in tragedy when her boyfriend died a couple of years ago.
Firefighters are now warning residents about the dangers of not having a smoke alarm fitted inside their homes. Safety bosses are set to conduct home visits to neighbours in the Westoe area of South Shields, South Tyneside, this week for a free home risk fire assessment.
Kevin Hepple, area manager of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Thankfully deaths from fires are few and far between, but even one is one too many.
“If we can get anything from this tragedy it must be to serve as a warning to others to make sure that any smoking materials are completely extinguished before putting them in the bin or going to bed.
“We would also encourage anyone who hasn’t already got one to fit working smoke alarms in their properties as there is no doubt they save lives by giving people vital seconds to escape.”
Last night Mr Tooley’s son Darren, who lives with his sister Rachel and their mother Diane in the town’s Strathmore Gardens, Harton Grange, told The Journal the family was too upset to talk at present.
