5 February 2011

Swift action by firefighters prevented a house fire in Wolverton from spreading along a terrace this morning.

Crews from Great Holm, Broughton, Bletchley and Newport Pagnell were called to the fire in Windsor Street shortly after midnight, along with the Command and Control Unit from Aylesbury and a number of officers. At its peak, there were more than 30 firefighters and officers at the scene.

Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service are investigating the cause of the fire.

Station Manager Ian Wilson, the incident commander, said: "When the first crews arrived, smoke was pouring through the roof of the mid-terrace house. The house was empty, so they had to force an entry through the front door before starting to fight the fire from the inside.

"Firefighters had to withdraw when the roof started to collapse on to the first floor, but were able to surround the fire and prevent it from spreading in both directions along the terrace.

"Crews worked from the front and back of the house, from the roof space of the two adjacent houses and from a turntable ladder.

"They did exceptionally well in difficult conditions, including high winds, to contain the fire and prevent it from causing considerable damage to a number of people's homes."

Six homes - three on either side - were evacuated, and the road was cordoned off to help keep onlookers safe.

Firefighters used two jets, three hose reels, a 75-foot turntable ladder, four sets of breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras.

The roof of the 15-metre by 20-metre house was destroyed and the first floor was 50 per cent damaged by fire.

Crews were able to start leaving the scene at about 2am. The last two crews left at 3.45am, and reinspections were carried out at 5am, 7.30am and 9.30am.