16 January 2009

Firefighters rescued a man from a fire in his flat in Central Milton Keynes last night.

Crews from Great Holm and Broughton were called to a three-storey block of flats in North Tenth Street at 10.33pm. The fire is believed to have started in the bathroom of the first-floor flat.

Group Manager Dave Norris, who also attended the incident, said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a thermal imaging camera to locate the semi-conscious man, who was in his bedroom.

"They worked very quickly and efficiently and brought him out to a waiting ambulance."

Crew Manager Danny Moore from Great Holm Fire Station said: "The flat was very heavily smokelogged and the man was suffering from smoke inhalation.

"The flat was fitted with two smoke alarms, both of which were working.

"Fortunately we were able to find the man quickly with the aid of the thermal imaging camera and get him outside so that he could be taken to hospital."

Firefighters used a hose reel to put out the fire and a fan to clear away the smoke.

About 50 people had to be evacuated from neighbouring flats but were later allowed back in.

The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle based at Bletchley Fire Station went to Milton Keynes Hospital to offer assistance to the man.