AS the summer holidays get underway, fire services are issuing a safety warning to parents in Dorset after a devastating tragedy.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are reminding parents and care takers to keep lighters out of reach after a mother of two was killed by a fire that was started by a child playing with a cigarette lighter in Wales.

The 28-year-old tried to escape the fire through a window but was trapped and died in hospital three days later. A child that lived in the property admitted starting the fire.

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “With kids running around over the summer holidays, ensure lighters and matches are out of reach and that you have working smoke alarms in your home to avoid another tragedy.”