Fire brigade called to Blair house

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Burning breakfast toast led to former Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie receiving a visit from three fire engines at their 17th century country mansion.

Smoke from the toast set off the fire alarm in the South Pavilion, Wotton Underwood on Saturday morning. Because the mansion is a Grade 1 listed building, the alarm is connected to the local fire station, although fortunately for the Blairs no home insurance claim will be necessary.

A Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Two crews from Haddenham, the nearest local station, and one from Aylesbury attended. One from Thame, in Oxfordshire, was on its way but was turned back. It was basically some burned toast that had set the alarm off, so it was a smaller incident than was first feared.

"The smoke was cleared with a fan and the firefighters gave some fire safety advice."

A spokesman for the couple said: "The Blairs were cooking breakfast when the smoke alarm went off. In fact it was just smoke without a fire but by the time Mrs Blair rang the fire service to tell them they didn't need to come, they were already on their way."

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