FIREFIGHTERS are keen to stress the importance of being kitted out with a carbon monoxide detector after responding to an apparent case of the poisonous gas in Finchampstead.

At about 9.45am this morning fire services were called to reports that a carbon monoxide alarm had gone off at a ground floor flat in Warren Close and had been ringing since the night before.

Arriving at the property, the fire crews discovered no trace of the gas but instead they found that hot water had flooded the toilet.

They surmised that the leaking water had caused the boiler to go into overdrive which is what had set off the carbon monoxide alarm.

The residence was not inhabited at the time but new tenants had been due to move in.

Watch manager Marcus Lewis, of Wokingham fire station, wanted to use the opportunity to reiterate the need for residents to protect themselves from the dangerous gas, although this incident had turned out to be a false alarm.

He said: "We want people to consider going out and getting themselves a carbon monoxide detector, the kind that rings like a smoke detector.

"Carbon monoxide is the silent killer."