10 August 2009

A woman had to jump to safety from a window when a fire broke out in her first-floor flat on Sunday afternoon.

Crews from Great Holm and Bletchley were called to the home in Emerton Gardens, Stony Stratford, at 2.40pm. The fire started in the bedroom, and early indications suggest it was caused by hair straighteners.

Watch Manager Frazer Lewis from Great Holm Fire Station said: "The woman was in the lounge when the fire started, and by the time she knew about it her main escape route to the front door was blocked by smoke.

"We are obviously relieved that she was able to get out in time. She was suffering from smoke inhalation and a cut and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

"The flat was fitted with a smoke alarm, but the battery was disconnected. A working smoke alarm would have alerted her to the fire more quickly and enabled her to get out without having to jump from the window."

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the fire with a hose reel and a jet and cleared the smoke with a fan. They used a thermal imaging camera to help check that the fire was not spreading to the roof or adjacent properties.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service will carry out a free safety check of your home and fit free smoke detectors where necessary.

Ring 01296 744477, send an email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or use the online form here to book an appointment.

Advice if you are fitting your own smoke alarms:

• Fit one smoke detector to each floor at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting at ceiling level.
  
  
• Make sure your detector has the British Standard Kitemark on it.
  
  
• Test the battery once a week and change the battery annually if it is a one-year smoke detector. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recommends 10-year tamper-free detectors fitted with push buttons. These are available from DIY stores.