Man’s Near-Death Ordeal as Old Electric Blanket Sparks Bedroom Fire
Adrian Bevan, 61, from Edenbridge, had a terrifying escape when his late mother’s electric blanket overheated, filling his bedroom with thick, toxic smoke.
On the evening of November 29, 2022, Adrian used the old blanket to warm his bed in Albion Way. After using it, he left the blanket on the floor and went to bed—forgetting to switch it off. Unlike modern models, this vintage blanket had no timer or automatic shut-off.
Woke Up Choking on Toxic Fumes
About an hour later, Adrian was jolted awake, gasping for air.
“The room was full of thick, black smoke, I couldn’t see and I could hardly breathe. My eyes and throat were burning with toxic fumes, made even worse because I’m asthmatic – it really was very scary,” Adrian recalled.
Thinking quickly, he crawled out of the room and shut the door behind him, following fire service advice to contain the smoke. Safe outside, he called 999.
Firefighters Rescue and Warn
Kent Fire and Rescue crews in breathing apparatus tackled the smouldering blanket, which had already burned through the bedroom rug and threatened the floor below. Adrian was given oxygen by firefighters and later checked by SECAmb paramedics.
The firefighters also found Adrian’s smoke alarms weren’t working and installed new ones on the spot.
Adrian said: “I am very lucky to have woken up when I did. It was a simple mistake forgetting to turn the blanket off, but it could have ended very badly.”
Safety Tips to Avoid a Nightmare
Kent Fire and Rescue Crew Manager Mark Moore urged everyone to test their smoke alarms weekly, calling Adrian’s survival “a lucky escape.” He warned that with more people using electric blankets this winter to save money, safety is even more crucial.
- Check electric blankets for wear and tear—don’t use damaged ones.
- Buy from reputable suppliers and choose blankets with timers and auto shut-off.
- Be cautious with second-hand blankets—inspect carefully before use.
- Never use an electric blanket and hot water bottle at the same time—liquid and electricity don’t mix.
- Do not allow use by anyone with incontinence for safety reasons.
Remember: Test smoke alarms weekly and have one on every floor.
For more on safe ways to save money this winter, visit Kent Fire and Rescue’s safety advice.
