11 September 2008

A block of flats had to be evacuated yesterday evening after a fire broke out in one of the kitchens.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service received the call at 9.20pm to the fourth floor flat on West End Road, High Wycombe, after a pan had caught fire.

Three appliances and crews from High Wycombe attended and immediately evacuated all the residents within the block. Firefighters used one hose reel and two sets of breathing apparatus to put the already well-developed fire out.

Residents of the ground and first floors were allowed back in to their homes after 10pm, with the remaining two floors returning after 10.30pm.

Fire damaged was contained to the kitchen with the remainder of the flat being heavily smoke-logged. An adjacent flat also suffered smoke damage.

Firefighters rescued one cat, who was suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke, and gave oxygen therapy until a vet arrived. Two rats were also rescued.