FIREFIGHTERS visited hundreds of homes in Upton during a reassurance campaign following a fatal fire believed to have been caused by a cigarette.

In total eight fire appliances took part in the day-long exercise in the village on Tuesday.

Volunteers from the charity Fire Support Network, which is the charity arm of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, helped hand out leaflets on fire safety before the campaign.

A total of 290 properties were targeted in streets including Arrowe Park Road, Rake Lane, Ford Road, Morton Road, Salacre Terrace, Old Greasby Road and Newton Way.

It followed a fire at a house in Rock Bank, Upton on the night of Tuesday, July 23. Firefighters were alerted by neighbours at around 7.50pm. 

Maxwell Lewis Grey, from Orrysdale Road in West Kirby, had been working on a friend's house prior to the fire.

The 34-year-old was found unresponsive in the property by firefighters and taken to Arrowe Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8.50pm.

The inquest was opened and adjourned by Wirral coroner Christopher Johnson on Friday.

Community fire prevention officer Mike Buratti said: "We have visited and spoken with homeowners and residents today highlighting the key safety messages around keeping yourself safe from fire.

"These campaigns are truly important as they reach some of those who do have a higher risk of experiencing a fire.

"Factors that can increase the risk of experiencing a fire include consuming alcohol and cooking and not disposing of cigarettes properly.

"It is really important that residents understand the risks and are supported in making their homes safe from fire.

"We advise that cigarettes are never left unattended and are extinguished in the proper receptacles such as ashtrays.

"People should also make sure cigarettes are extinguished and cool before they are emptied into any bins."

The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing though the initial investigation has been completed and the cause is suspected to be a cigarette which came into contact with the settee.

It is thought the cigarette was dropped by accident.