Get out, don’t put it out
Firefighters in North Warwickshire are urging people not to attempt to put fires out themselves, after attending a house fire in Atherstone.
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service were called to a kitchen fire on Princes Road in Atherstone at 07.45 hrs on Thursday 18 February. The two elderly residents living in the semi-detached house were alerted to the fire by their smoke alarms but, thinking it was safe to do so, they attempted to tackle the fire themselves.
Although they were rescued from the lounge and kitchen by fire crews, the couple were taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
It is thought that the fire was started by accidentally in the kitchen waste bin. Three Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service appliances attended plus an Ambulance.
Watch Manager, Andy Bates, said:
“Although we understand that some domestic fires can seem relatively minor we would always urge people to leave the building as soon as possible and wait for the fire service to deal with the situation. The nature of a fire can change dramatically in no time at all and staying a moment longer could cost you your life.
“Fortunately our crews were able to help the couple and minimise damage to the property, but hospitalisation and risk to life can be avoided altogether if people leave the building when the alarm is raised.”
For information on how to apply for a free home fire safety check log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue