A fatal flat fire was started by a carelessly discarded cigarette, firefighters have revealed, as neighbours say they were lucky more people were not killed.

Firefighters rushed to the scene in Holtspur, near Beaconsfield, at 11.20pm on Monday but were unable to save the female occupant of the flat.

Residents in the Kiln Court property were left devestated following the tragic death of the woman, with investigators revealing it was the second fatal cigarette fire in the county this month.

Neighbour Anjie Barrichello said: “It was just really scary, if I hadn’t got out I might have been the next one, it’s horrible looking back on it now.

“My flat was full of smoke, but I got up and ran to my neighbour and we tried to get outside.

“Smoke was thick in the corridors but we managed to get out.

“The fire brigade were very quick, they got here straightaway and did what they could – we are all thankful to them.”

On March 7, the body of a woman was found in Springfield Road, Stokenchurch, following a cigarette fire and residents have been warned that the careless disposal of cigarettes is the single biggest killer in house fires across the country.

Speaking of the latest tragedy, Bucks Fire and Rescue deputy chief fire officer, Mick Osborne, said: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends, and the local community.

“In spite of the speed of response and the efforts of everyone involved, tragically, the occupant had died.

“Fire damage was limited to the room of origin, and all the other residents were unharmed.

“It is the second fire of this type in the space of just over two weeks. Sadly, there was also a death following a fire at a house in Springfield Road, Stokenchurch, on 7 March.

“Our investigations have shown that both these fires were caused by careless disposal of cigarettes. This covers a number of scenarios, including falling asleep while smoking, and not putting cigarettes out properly.

“It will of course be for the coroner to determine the causes of death following these two tragedies.”

Two crews from High Wycombe and one from Beaconsfield were called upon on Monday evening with firefighters using one hose reel, four sets of breathing apparatus and a positive pressure ventilation fan.

Last year in Bucks there were 24 smoking-related fires, with government statistics showing a third of all accidental house fires that go on to result in a death are caused by cigarettes,.

Mr Osborne said: “Although people are aware of the health risks associated with smoking, many are surprised that something as small as a cigarette can pose such a significant fire risk with the potential to kill.”

Bucks Fire and Rescue have issued safety advice to residents in the last few days and have also warned smokers never to leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended.

They said people should never smoke in bed, and take care with cigarettes when tired.