Firefighters have urged the public to test their carbon monoxide alarms, following a spate of incidents in north Cumbria.

Crews were called out a number of times between Wednesday and Saturday.

Carlisle East, Brampton and Longtown stations responded to a potential carbon monoxide poisoning at a home near Easton on December 5.

When they arrive, the occupants were out of the house and being checked by the ambulance service. There were no serious injuries were reported.

Not long after, and while Carlisle teams were still dealing with the incident, Brampton, Longtown and Penrith crews were called out to another carbon monoxide detector activation in Carlisle with, again, no injuries reported.

On Friday a crew from Carlisle East Fire Station was called to a house in Almery Drive, Currock, at about 9am a carbon monoxide alarm sounded.

Firefighters used their equipment to run a test and found the leak was due to a problem with the gas fittings.

Watch manager Paul Dean said it highlights the importance of having working detectors.

He said: “Especially at this time of year - when more people use their heating and light their fires - carbon monoxide detectors are essential.

“Carbon monoxide can knock you unconscious and, unfortunately, you can die from carbon monoxide poisoning.”

On Wednesday a resident had to evacuate a Carlisle home after a carbon monoxide alarm again sounded.

Firefighters from Carlisle East, Carlisle West and Wigton fire stations were called to the incident, on Dalton Avenue, at 4.30am.

They entered the property with breathing apparatus after a detector showed that carbon monoxide was present.

After ventilating the property they handed the incident over to British Gas.

A fire spokesman said: “Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it has no smell, taste or colour.

“People often don’t realise that they are being overcome by fumes until it is too late.

“The symptoms of poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness, which can be mistaken for something else.

“About 15m households in the UK are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because they don’t have an alarm."