20 February 2010

Swift action by firefighters prevented a house fire in Beaconsfield yesterday morning from spreading.

Crews from Beaconsfield and High Wycombe were called to the house in Butlers Court Road shortly before noon.

Watch Manager Neil Bressington from Beaconsfield Fire Station said: "The fire started in the study and filled that part of the house with thick, black smoke. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus brought it under control using hose reels.

"They cleared the smoke with a powerful fan and checked for hot-spots with a thermal imaging camera.

"While all this was going on, they were also able to carry a small tortoise, which was in a tank in the study, to safety."

The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault. Firefighters were at the scene for about 90 minutes, and they carried out a reinspection at 3.30pm.

Neil added: "A concerned pet-owner attempting the same rescue, without the benefit of the breathing apparatus and protective clothing worn by firefighters, could be overcome by smoke and we could end up with a much more serious incident on our hands."