Neighbour rescues man from burning flat
A man has been rescued from a fire at his home by his neighbour who noticed smoke coming from the neighbouring flat at around 2.00am on 2nd February.
Mr Parkinson said: “It is lucky I had the night off work. I went outside and banged on the door but there was no answer. I tried it and it was open so I went in. The whole place was filled with smoke and I couldn’t see anything in front of me. I didn’t know where he was, so I used the light on my phone and tried to feel my way around. At one point I heard something and then I found him laying on the floor on the landing. I had to pull him by his arm and as soon as we got out I called the fire brigade. I think it was just luck that I was here, awake and the door was unlocked. Anybody would have done the same. I don’t know the guy very well, but I say hello when I pass him. I hope he will be OK.”
Mr Hunter was taken to hospital by ambulance suffering with severe smoke inhalation.
Neighbour Gary Boulton said: “We got woken up by the lights of the fire engines and didn’t really know what was happening. We didn’t get evacuated because the firefighters got the situation under control quickly. The firemen came into our house and used it to look out of, to see if the back of the property was OK. The guy who dragged him out did a great thing.”
The flat is situated above a newsagent shop which suffered some damage in the fire.
Wayne Robson, landlord of the flats and shop, said: “I got called by the police at about 2.30am and was told what happened. The flat has been completely gutted, but that doesn’t matter right now as long as everyone is OK. The shop hasn’t suffered too much damage and we will have it repaired in no time.”
Fire crews praised Mr Parkinson for his quick actions but also added that entering a burning building is not something they advise the public to do. Andy James, a fire officer at the scene, said: “Although I would not advise people to enter a burning building, the neighbour did extremely well in saving this man. Crews worked very quickly in difficult conditions to tackle what was a severe fire. It stresses the importance of looking out for your neighbours and links in with our Check On Your Neighbours campaign.”
Man rescued from house as sofa goes up in flames
A man was rescued from a fire at his home after a passer-by and a policeman jumped in to help.
Taffy Prosser and Sergeant Carl Jones helped the man escape from his flat in Grenville Road, Dines Green, Worcester at about 3pm on Wednesday.
Mr Prosser who was flagged down by a neighbour said: “He was telling me to leave him and I said, ‘no way’. Then the sergeant came in to the flat and helped me and we just got him out. We had to find something to put him on so we got this commode. I couldn’t see anything, but we got him out. I was trying to find him and I could hear his voice. It was scary. A lot goes through your mind.”
The duo had to break down the front room door and get the burning sofa out of the building in an attempt to stop the fire spreading further.
Sgt Carl Jones said: “People will come together to help their neighbours. I was just pleased [Mr Prosser] was there and we were able to get the guy out. It was a big relief and I’m told he’s on the mend.”
Neighbour, Mrs Thomas praised the pair for their bravery: “They deserve an award. It was horrendous really. It was a bit of luck [Mr Prosser] was coming by because I couldn’t get [Mr Johns] out. I’ve never known anyone so brave.”
Watch Commander Dave Smith, from the local fire service said: “The fire involved an older style foam-filled sofa that did not conform to British Standards for domestic furniture and the smoke it gave off was dense and highly toxic. Those involved in the rescue undoubtedly saved the man’s life.”
He also reminded people that upholstered furniture sold in the UK after 1988 must conform to fire safety guidelines and urged everyone to check that their own sofas and armchairs do comply with these regulations.
All were taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. Mr Prosser, Mrs Thomas and Sgt Jones were all discharged that evening, while Mr Johns remains in hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.
Leading businessman dies in mansion fire
A businessman has died in a fire at his home near Falkirk earlier this week.
Christophe Ferrand who was a senior manager at Aegon Asset Management was rescued from the fire but later died in hospital. A woman and two children were also rescued from the house and taken to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.
The Company has issued a statement saying: “It is with regret and sadness, Aegon Asset Management can confirm that a great friend and colleague, Christophe Ferrand, died in a fire at his home in Scotland last night. Christophe, who was the chief administrative officer of the UK division of the asset management business, had recently taken on an expanded role with responsibility for legal and finance in the UK as well as his existing responsibilities.”
Detective Inspector Ronnie Isles said: “Our inquiries are at a very early stage and the cause of the fire is still to be determined. However, due to the remote locality of the house we appeal for anyone who may have been in this area around the time of the fire to come forward.”
Eldery woman suffers burns in flat fire
An elderly woman is being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burns after being rescued from a fire at her flat in Stanley yesterday morning.
The woman’s sons escaped from the fire and were also taken to hospital.
The fire started at around 4.00 am in the ground floor flat at Stag Court in Stanley Park Road.
Eamon Slevin, Acting Blue Watch manager reported that it was only because of the speed with which firefighters were able to arrive on the scene and the quick reactions of the fire crews involved that the fire was not more serious.
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out by London Fire Brigade.
Elderly man has lucky escape from cigarette fire
A 91 year old man from East Grinstead has had a lucky escape after a fire broke out at his flat while he slept.
The man, who is deaf, discarded a cigarette which then set fire to a tea towel on the windowsill.
Luckily, the property is wired to a community alarm company that monitors the sheltered flat so the fire services were alerted very quickly.
The elderly gentleman was oblivious to the drama as he was not wearing his hearing aid. The fire was quickly extinguished and the gentleman was led to safety and given oxygen after suffering from smoke inhalation. He did not require any hospital treatment.
Mr Brookes from East Grinstead Fire Station said: “It does not take long for a fire to spread in the home, as there are usually many combustible materials close together.”
Fire crews returned to his flat the next day to fit a special vibrating alarm designed for residents with hearing problems.