A local reminder
A serious house fire affected two neighbouring properties on Peulwys Lane in Old Colwyn. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident on 6 July 2026. Local reports stated that an explosion was heard and that one property was destroyed while the neighbouring home was damaged.
Everyone was accounted for. No people were injured. The family affected lost their home and belongings, and their pet cat died.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service later stated that the cause was thought to be accidental. The available reports do not establish that the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
This distinction matters. Do not speculate about the cause or blame residents. Use the incident as a practical reminder instead. Check your home’s electrical installation. Test your alarms. Act quickly when you notice warning signs.
Check for electrical warning signs
Electrical faults can develop inside sockets, switches, cables, appliances and consumer units. Some problems are visible. Others are hidden.
Stop using equipment and arrange an urgent inspection if you notice:
- A burning or hot-plastic smell.
- Buzzing, sizzling or crackling from a socket or switch.
- A socket, plug or extension lead that feels hot.
- Scorch marks, discolouration, cracking or melted plastic.
- Flickering lights or intermittent power.
- A circuit breaker or RCD that trips repeatedly.
- Loose sockets or switches.
- Damaged cables, plugs or chargers.
- An extension lead that shows signs of overheating.
Do not reset a circuit repeatedly to keep appliances running. Repeated tripping indicates a fault, overload or another problem that requires investigation.
If you see smoke or flames, leave the property immediately. Call 999. Do not try to remove the socket or investigate the consumer unit yourself.
If there is no fire but you smell burning, stop using the affected circuit if it is safe to do so. Do not touch equipment that is hot, damaged, sparking or smoking. Contact a qualified electrician.
Use sockets and extension leads safely
A standard UK socket has a maximum rating. Do not connect several high-power appliances through one adapter or extension lead.
High-power appliances include:
- Portable heaters.
- Kettles.
- Washing machines.
- Tumble dryers.
- Dishwashers.
- Microwaves.
- Irons.
Keep high-power appliances connected directly to a suitable wall socket where possible. Do not connect one extension lead to another. This is known as daisy-chaining and can increase the risk of overheating.
Keep extension leads visible and ventilated. Do not cover them with rugs, furniture or other materials. Replace any extension lead that is cracked, discoloured, hot or damaged.
Avoid using multi-way adapters permanently. If a room does not have enough sockets, ask an electrician to assess the installation and recommend a safe solution.
Take care with chargers
Chargers are common in every home. They power phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles, smart devices and other equipment.
Use chargers supplied by the manufacturer or purchased from a reputable supplier. Avoid damaged, loose or poorly fitting chargers. Replace cables with exposed wires, split insulation or bent connectors.
Follow these steps:
- Check the charger, plug and cable before use.
- Do not use a charger if it becomes unusually hot.
- Keep chargers on a hard, non-flammable surface.
- Do not place a phone or laptop on bedding while charging.
- Keep chargers away from water and heat sources.
- Do not overload an extension lead with multiple chargers and appliances.
- Unplug chargers when they are not required.
- Stop using any charger that smells of burning or shows damage.
A phone charger may use less power than a heater. It can still become dangerous when damaged, poorly ventilated or connected to unsafe equipment.
Arrange an Electrical Installation Condition Report
A visual check cannot identify every electrical defect. Wiring, connections, protective devices and earthing arrangements may need professional testing.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, provides a structured inspection of the fixed electrical installation. It can cover the consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches, lighting and other fixed electrical equipment within the agreed scope.
An EICR may identify:
- Loose or deteriorated connections.
- Damaged cables.
- Inadequate earthing or bonding.
- Incorrect protective devices.
- Overloaded circuits.
- Defective RCD protection.
- Outdated equipment.
- Hidden damage or installation defects.
An EICR is not a guarantee that an installation will remain safe indefinitely. It records its condition at the time of inspection. You should still report new warning signs immediately.
Homeowners should consider an EICR when:
- They move into an older property.
- The property has had no recent electrical inspection.
- They are buying or selling a home.
- They have carried out major alterations.
- They are experiencing repeated electrical faults.
- The property has been extended.
- They plan to install an EV charger or other high-load equipment.
- They own a rental property and need appropriate landlord electrical checks.
Use a qualified and competent contractor for electrical testing services. Ask what the inspection includes. Confirm that the report clearly records any limitations and recommended remedial work.
Read Dragon’s guide to electrical testing and common compliance mistakes.
Test smoke and heat alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning. Heat alarms can be appropriate in locations where smoke alarms may create unwanted alarms, such as kitchens. The correct arrangement depends on the property, layout and manufacturer’s instructions.
As a minimum practical routine:
- Install working smoke alarms on each level of the home.
- Test alarms regularly using the test button.
- Keep alarms clear of paint, dust and decorations.
- Replace batteries as instructed.
- Investigate repeated low-battery warnings.
- Replace alarms at the end of their stated service life.
- Never remove an alarm because it activates unexpectedly without addressing the reason.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows what the alarm sounds like.
- Plan an escape route and keep it clear.
Test alarms after decorating, building work or other changes that may create dust. Clean them only as instructed by the manufacturer.
A working alarm does not prevent a fire. It can provide valuable warning so that occupants can leave safely and call 999.
Separate fire detection from intruder alarms
A domestic intruder alarm protects against unauthorised entry. A fire detection system identifies smoke or heat. These functions are different and should not be confused.
A home security system may include door contacts, motion detectors, a control panel, external sounder and app notifications. An intruder alarm is not automatically a fire alarm system.
Some professionally installed systems can integrate security and safety devices. Dragon can discuss options for homes that need both fire detection and intruder protection.
RISCO’s 2-Way Wireless Smoke & Heat Detector uses photoelectric smoke detection and heat sensors. RISCO states that the product is compatible with its hybrid and wireless systems and is designed for domestic environments. The manufacturer also provides a pressure-pad test function and lists EN14604 compliance for the relevant smoke detection operation.
RISCO’s Wireless LuNAR FireWatch combines PIR, smoke and heat detection. It is designed for compatibility with RISCO LightSYS+ and LightSYS Air systems. A qualified installer must assess whether a particular product, location and configuration are suitable for your home.
Do not treat an intruder alarm as a substitute for standalone smoke or heat alarm provision. Ask your installer to explain exactly what each device detects and how alerts are delivered.
You can also read Dragon’s guide to Risco alarms for homes in Conwy and Denbighshire.
Make a simple safety plan
Complete these checks this week:
- Walk through the property and inspect sockets, plugs and extension leads.
- Identify any burning smells, buzzing, heat, scorch marks or repeated tripping.
- Stop using damaged equipment.
- Test every smoke and heat alarm.
- Check battery and replacement dates.
- Confirm that escape routes are clear.
- Review the date of your last EICR.
- Book professional electrical testing if the installation is overdue or warning signs are present.
- Consider professionally installed fire detection and home security systems where your household needs additional protection.
Do not attempt electrical repairs yourself. Do not open sockets, switches, chargers or consumer units. Do not use water on an electrical fire.
Electrical and security support in North Wales
Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd is a local Conwy and North Wales contractor providing domestic electrical, fire and security services.
Our services include electrical installation, inspection and testing, smoke and heat alarm installation, intruder alarms, monitoring and maintenance. We can assess your requirements and recommend a proportionate solution for your property.
For advice or to arrange an inspection, call 01492 330330.
You can also contact Dragon Security & Electrical Ltd or view our security services.
Dragon – Secure Living Starts Here.