SPENDING a fiver is a matter of life or death.

SPENDING a fiver is a matter of life or death.

That was the message from fire chiefs to the people of Suffolk today after the importance of a �4.99 fire alarm was highlighted in two potentially devastating house blazes in Ipswich.

In one, the sound of an alarm alerted neighbours who dialled 999, before crews broke in and rescued a woman who had been sleeping upstairs.

But in the second incident, firefighters say it was pure luck that no-one was killed after it emerged the blaze had been left to rage because no alarm had been fitted.

Karl Rolfe, assistant divisional officer at Suffolk Fire and Rescue, said: “Smoke alarms are instrumental in bringing down the number of fire deaths and injuries - but there are still people who do not have them.

“For minimum expenditure, it's excellent insurance.”

- See tonight's Evening Star for the full story