A HOUSING association is leading the way in making sure that tenants are safe from the risk of fire in their homes.

Staff from Teign Housing have been given specialist training by the fire service in a pioneering new partnership.

They will now be able to assess the risk of fire when they visit tenants in their homes.

It comes in the wake of a blaze which claimed the lives of Torquay children Stephanie Wojak and Ben McAuliffe last October.

Their deaths sent shockwaves across South Devon and it was revealed that the Riviera Housing Trust property where the youngsters lived did not have a fire alarm.

It prompted Torbay MP Adrian Sanders into pressing for parliamentary legislation to be introduced to fit smoke alarms in rented properties.

Teign Housing has always fitted hard-wired smoke alarms in its 3,600 homes, but it has now gone a step further with a new scheme aimed to protect tenants at risk from house fires.

Fire officers have provided Teign Housing staff with fire safety training so that when they visit tenants they are more aware of any potential fire risks and hazards.

It can include cigarettes not being extinguished correctly, overloaded extension leads and helping residents create an escape plan in the event of a fire.

Customers who smoke, have physical or mental health issues, are elderly or live alone could potentially be at higher risk of fire, and staff can also recommend them for the fire service's free home fire risk assessment.

It is the first time that a housing provider has worked with the fire service in this way in the South West.

Teign Housing's chief executive, Mike Hanrahan, said: "Prevention is always better than cure.

"Fire safety has always been a priority for us, and all of our properties have hard wired smoke alarms fitted as standard.

"But after a number of fatal fires, both locally and nationally, it made us think about what else we could do to prevent a tragedy like this.

"By funding this scheme we can make sure that all of our customers can be advised by the experts."

Some 32 fire risk assessments have been carried out in Teign Housing properties, with more planned.

The fire service's South Devon and Dartmoor group commander, Robbie Woods, said: "Companies such as Teign Housing have a good understanding of the needs of their customers and by working in partnership the fire service has been able to effectively support those members of the community who would benefit the most from safety advice.

"The partnership has had the additional benefit of developing excellent working relationships between the two organisations which has led to further community-based activities and improved operational performance for the fire service."

Last October the small community of Ellacombe in Torquay was left devastated when Stephanie Wojak and Ben McAuliffe died following a fire at their home in Ellacombe Church Road.

It was later revealed that 25 per cent of Riviera Housing Trust's homes did not have fire alarms at the time.

It had planned to install smoke detectors in the remaining properties as part of a major home improvement programme, which it brought forward immediately.

In the aftermath Bay MP Mr Sanders introduced proposed legislation making it a legal requirement for smoke alarms to be fitted in rented properties into Parliament.

He said the Teignbridge project was a 'credit' to those involved.

He said: "This is a really good partnership and I hope other housing providers, including private sector landlords, will consider doing something similar."