Scene of the rescue - the 13.5-metre ladder leading to the bedroom window.

15 September 2008

Firefighters rescued two people who were trapped on the top floor of a three-storey house on Saturday after a fire broke out in the kitchen.

Crews from Broughton, Great Holm and Newport Pagnell were called to the property in Penryn Avenue, Fishermead, at 2.02pm. Four adults had already managed to leave the house by the front door, but a man and a woman were unable to get down the stairs because of thick smoke.

Firefighters used a 13.5-metre ladder to lead them to safety out of a bedroom window. Ambulance staff treated them at the scene.

Six firefighters entered the building wearing breathing apparatus to carry out a thorough search and put out the fire.

Although the house had two smoke alarms, neither had a battery in it. The fire, which started in a pan on the cooker, happened just two days before the relaunch of a national campaign to remind people to carry out a weekly check that their smoke alarms are working.

Watch Manager Bob Breading from Broughton Fire Station said: “The two people had a very lucky escape as their exit was blocked off. The hallway and stairs were so smoke-logged that they couldn’t make their way down the stairs.

“They were hanging out of the window when we arrived. Had the fire developed more quickly, they could quite easily have been overcome by hot fire gases.”

Bob added: “I would like to praise the professional excellence of the crews, who worked quickly and thoroughly to prevent it from becoming an even more serious incident.”

The month-long smoke alarm campaign – called Pull Your Finger Out – relaunches today with a series of TV advertisements featuring Julie Walters. It shows the horrific aftermath of a fire in the home with a burnt out kitchen providing the backdrop.

Terry Ridgley, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety manager, said: “Government statistics show that although most homes have a smoke alarm, most people don’t check that they are working!

“Unless a smoke alarm is regularly maintained it could be rendered useless in the event of a fire. Clearly it is not enough simply to own a smoke alarm and hope that loved ones and homes will be protected. Maintaining a smoke alarm takes moments and this simple precaution can save lives.”

Terry offered the following safety advice:

• Fit a smoke alarm on each level of the property. When a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to escape so an early warning is vital. Make sure you replace battery-operated smoke alarm units after 10 years. Alternatively consider installing a 10-year battery smoke alarm or mains powered alarm.
  
  
• Test it weekly - a working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and dial 999.
  
  
• Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.
  
  
• Stay safe in the kitchen. This is the area where most house fires start. It only takes a minute to check electrical appliances are switched off. Also, never leave cooking unattended.
  
  
• Ask the experts. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service offers free home fire risk checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. To find out more, ring 01296 744477, send an  email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or fill in the online form at www.bucksfire.gov.uk