Former top soccer referee backs fire safety campaign

Mr Rennie, who was the first black official to take charge of a top-flight game, invited firefighters to his home in Rotherham for advice about fire precautions and alarms.

The fire service is targeting ethnic minority groups in South Yorkshire as it seeks to work with areas of the community which are most at risk from fire, in a bid to further reduce deaths, injuries and incidents.

Mr Rennie said: "The fire service continue to do a fantastic job and work incredibly hard to keep the risk of accidental house fires low.

"But there are still thousands of homes across the county without working smoke alarms, putting their homes and personal and family safety at a risk as a result.

"I was taken by surprise to hear the advice of firefighters and am extremely grateful for the smoke alarms they have fitted. Now I hope others will follow my lead and contact the service to arrange a free home safety check."

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has vowed to protect its programme of community safety work despite facing anticipated cuts of around 9m from central government.

The brigade recently launched a three-month public consultation on where the axe should fall in its 60m annual budget, chief officer Mark Smitherman saying he had to strike a "delicate balance".

One of the options would be to cut the number of calls attended by large engines, but senior officers believe fire prevention is the key to cutting costs.

A spokesman for the brigade said yesterday: "A cornerstone of the fire safety agenda is the need to be more pro-active in the prevention of fire together with free home safety checks.

"Firefighters or community safety staff will visit your home at a convenient time. During the visit you can get advice on how to make your home safer, what to do in the event of a fire and what to do if you are trapped by a fire.

"They will also fit a free smoke alarm if your house is without one and explain how to maintain it correctly. "

To arrange your Home Safety Check, or for general fire safety advice, call 0114 253 2314 or text free to 87023.