Pensioner John Garrett, of Mantle Street, Wellington, has warned householders of the danger of open fires.

It follows an incident in which he called the fire brigade after his carbon monoxide alarm went off with a reading of 151.

“It was about nine o’clock in the evening and the fire brigade came around very quickly,” he said. “Their vehicle included hoses and masks and they spent an hour in the building.

“Anyone with an open fire should have a carbon monoxide alarm above the mantlepiece. If you fall asleep and you haven’t got an alarm carbon monoxide is a killer. I believe it is the law that if you have a rented property the landlord must provide such an alarm.”

Now retired, Mr Garrett, 71, used to run Wellington Poetry Club between 1982 and 87.

Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, but highly toxic