Parents back fire warning

Victoria Pearse: Died of smoke inhalation

The parents of an Exeter student who was killed in a house fire are backing a campaign encouraging people to use smoke alarms.

Victoria Pearse, 21, was asleep upstairs when a fire broke out in the lounge of her Exeter digs just before Christmas 2001.

While the house was fitted with two smoke alarms, the one nearest her room had no battery.

Her parents, Rex and Julia, hope that by highlighting the danger, they will help prevent other deaths.

Mrs Pearse said: "Victoria was a girl who loved life. She was looking forward to a bright future after university and was applying for jobs. This has been taken away from her.

Alarm batteries

"My husband and I have lost a daughter, but if people are aware of the risks of removing smoke alarm batteries this won't have to happen to someone else."

Nearly 400 people a year die in accidental fires in their home.

Launching a major government campaign, Phil Hope, the minister responsible for fire safety, said he was determined to drive home the need for protection against fire.

He said: "It's always tragic hearing about loss of life, particularly in a young person.

"I would really urge the public to take heed from Julia's warning and check their smoke alarms weekly."