Nine rescued from Glasgow tenement fire
In the early hours of Monday morning on the 11th March 2013 9 people were rescued after a fire broke out in a tenement building in the west end of Glasgow.
It started in the Crow Road flats at 2.21am and was “well developed” by the time firefighters arrived.
A total of 20 people were evacuated from the building and were given shelter at Partick Burgh Halls, with 4 people being rescued from the upper floors, and 5 more led to safety. 6 residents were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is due to get under way. Firefighters remain at the scene and an investigation into the cause of the blaze will begin later.
Neighbour rescues family from burning house
A mother and five children were rescued from their Margate home after a fire broke out in the kitchen.
Officials say that it is thought the fire started when an electric cooker was left on accidentally at around 2.30am on 29th September.
The mother and children were trapped on the first floor as fire spread from the kitchen.
A neighbour managed to break a small window with a shovel and help rescue the mother and children. The family were quickly taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
The neighbour who witnessed the fire told the BBC: “We heard screaming and shouting and looked out of the window and saw black smoke billowing out of the bathroom window and a young lady screaming out. Me and the wife went out and had a good look and ended up smashing the window and pulling the children through the window. There were two of us. There was another chap. He was leaning against the railings where the little window is and the mother was passing the children out.”
Fire chiefs said it appeared a smoke alarm fitted on the ground floor failed to activate. This was probably due to batteries being inserted incorrectly.
Margate watch manager Paul Ward said: “While we would always advise people not to enter a building that is on fire, the man’s actions in rescuing this family were extremely brave and with considerable risk to his own safety.”
Residents evacuated in tower block fire
Seven residents were rescued by firefighters after a huge fire ripped through a block of flats in Lewisham on the morning of 15th August.
Five women and two young children were rescued from the flats in Campshill Road. Fire control officers were needed to speak over the phone to residents still trapped in the building, telling them what they must do to stay safe whilst waiting to be rescued.
Four people jumped from the first floor of the building before the firefighters had arrived at the scene.
Several people were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and other injuries.
Ziggy Hurrion, from the London Fire Brigade said: “Seven lives were saved in the early hours of this morning due to the quick thinking actions of our staff. Both our control officers, who handled the 999 calls from those inside the flats, and the brave actions of our firefighters, ensured that five women and two children were safely rescued from the blaze. They were all heroes this morning. Ambulance crews and police officers also did a great job at what was undoubtedly a challenging incident for all who attended. Nine people were taken to hospital and fortunately, at this stage, we don’t believe anyone was seriously injured. I can’t praise the actions of our staff enough as this incident could easily have ended in tragedy.”
Much of the building was damaged in the fire and an investigation is now underway to find out how it started.
13 die in Turkish prison fire
Thirteen prisoners have died in a fire at a Turkish prison which broke out on the evening of 16th June. It has been reported that the fire was started deliberately by inmates during a dispute.
Five prisoners were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters took nearly 2 hours to bring the blaze under control whilst security personnel attempted to restore order at the prison.
Celalettin Guvenc, Sanliurfa governor said: “Why weren’t (the firefighters) there on time, what caused the fighting, why were these people killed? All of these will be investigated.”
Police Officers blocked road access to the jail and it has been reported that they used pepper spray to disperse the angry crowds which had begun to gather outside the prison.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched. The investigation will also look at the time it took authorities and emergency services to respond to the fire.
Elderly woman escapes house fire thanks to smoke alarms
Firefighters are stressing the importance of having working smoke alarms at home after an elderly woman escaped from a fire at her home last week.
The fire is thought to have started when a spark from a log burner set a wicker basket alight.
Fire crews from Deeside, Mold and Ruthin were called to a fire near Llanarmon yn Ial in North Wales at around 12.15pm on Friday 9th March.
Andy Robb from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were able to advise the occupier to make her way safely out of the property and she received treatment for mild smoke inhalation at the scene. The fire started in a wicker basket positioned near a log burner. A spark had ignited paper and logs in the basket. We would strongly advise against placing wicker items near a heat source – although they look decorative they can easily overheat or catch a spark and ignite. The combination of a working smoke alarm and a link to outside assistance undoubtedly saved this lady’s life and enabled us to arrive in time to prevent substantial damage to the property. The smoke alarms at the property had been fitted by staff from our fire and rescue service during a previous home safety check.”