23 February 2009

Firefighters prevented a house fire from spreading along a terrace of five in the early hours of yesterday morning (Sunday 22 February).

Crews from High Wycombe, Marlow and Stokenchurch were called to the mid-terrace property in Jarry Court, Marlow, at 1.52am. There were fears that a woman and two children were unaccounted for.

Watch Manager Neil Bressington from High Wycombe Fire Station, the initial incident commander, said: “When we arrived we were faced with a fully developed fire at the rear of the house, and a lot of confusion as to whether there was anyone inside.

“Our priorities were to suppress the fire, prevent it from spreading to adjacent premises and carry out a search for the people who were reported missing.”

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and carrying thermal imaging cameras entered the house and carried out a thorough search, and were able to establish that no-one was inside.

The fire destroyed the roof and left the ground floor and first floor severely damaged by smoke, fire and heat.

Watch Manager Bressington continued: “For a while it looked as if it would be difficult to prevent the fire from spreading along the terrace. However, there is minimal damage to the adjacent properties – it was a first-class job by the crews at a very difficult incident.”

Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the night and a reinspection took take place later in the morning. An investigation into the cause of the fire has started.