A safety and reassurance campaign will take place in Upton following a fatal fire  thought to have been started by a cigarette.

A householder lost his life in the incident at his home in Rock Bank, Upton on Tuesday night. The authorities have yet to release the deceased's name.

Ten fire appliances will take part in the campaign and volunteers from the Fire Support Network, the charity arm of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, will be handing out safety leaflets.

Around 310 properties will be targeted in the day-long event next Tuesday.

Wirral fire service group manager Paul Murphy said the initial investigation has been completed and the cause is suspected to be a cigarette which came into contact with a sofa.

Mr Murphy said: “It is thought the cigarette was dropped by accident. This was a slow, smouldering fire involving a settee and produced quite a lot of smoke.

“It is really important that residents understand the risks and are supported in making their homes safe from fire.

“We advise that cigarettes are never left unattended and are extinguished in the proper receptacles such as ashtrays.

"People should also make sure cigarettes are extinguished and cool before they are emptied into any bins.

“On the night of the incident our fire engines were quickly on scene".

He said firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had to force entry into the property, found the victim on the kitchen floor and brought him outside, handing him to paramedics who immediately commenced CPR.

Having extinguised the fire, crews then carried out a thorough search to make sure no-one else was in the property.

The investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing.