Ledge rescue for blaze pair (From Gazette Series)

Ledge rescue for blaze pair

A COUPLE had a lucky escape from a burning three-storey farmhouse after becoming trapped in a bedroom as smoke and fumes blocked the stairs.

Fire crews - one from Wotton-under-Edge and two from Dursley - were scrambled to Blanchworth Farm, Blanchworth, around 9.40pm on Tuesday after the service received a call from a woman in a distressed state who was trapped inside.

Control staff instructed the woman, who is believed to be the housekeeper, and her boyfriend to climb through a dormer window in an upstairs bedroom onto a two-foot ledge 20ft above the ground.

Divisional Officer Nathan Travis said quick-thinking averted a potential disaster.

"The couple were alerted to the fire by a smoke detector on the first floor. But, because the smoke had free movement, their escape route was already blocked.

"Thankfully, they had their wits about them and with the help of our control operators managed to remain calm until the fire crews arrived."

After being rescued the pair, who are in their 20s, were taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance suffering from shock and the effects of smoke inhalation.

Mr Travis, who said the couple had a lucky escape, added: "The firefighters and control staff worked extremely well together with our ambulance and police colleagues - both at the scene and in our Quedgeley control centre - to bring a potentially serious incident to a speedy and successful conclusion."

Neighbour Sarah Sparks said she rushed home from a charity event after hearing about the fire.

"Someone who had been at the event was blocked trying to get home and returned to tell me the house next to mine was on fire," she said. "I dropped everything and returned to find a very dramatic scene with four fire engines, a fire car and ambulance outside the farm."

Mrs Sparks said the couple appeared to be very shaken.

"It could have been a lot worse," she said. "I have seen the inside of the house and there is a lot of damage to the hallway."

Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing.

Mr Travis added: "The fire is thought to have started accidentally after the heat from a nearby light fitting ignited curtains."

Although the fire was contained to a small area of the house, the extent of the damage is believed to be quite severe.

Mr Travis explained: "Even though the blaze was small and restricted to the downstairs hallway, on initial inspection, almost every room appears to have suffered some degree of damage, because doors were left open and thick smoke travelled quickly throughout the property."

The house belongs to Sally Roberts, owner of nursing home operator Blanchworth Care. Blanchworth Care accountant Ian Merrick confirmed Mrs Roberts was not in the property at the time.

CAMPAIGNERS against the regionalisation of fire control rooms have said the Blanchworth fire highlights the importance of strong local knowledge of control room staff in averting disaster.

The Fire Brigades Union is fighting government plans to develop a regionalised South-West control room by combining seven controls - including Gloucestershire - into one.

FBU South-West region branch secretary Rosie Tully said the incident highlights the importance of having a Gloucestershire-based control room.

"We gave local knowledge to local crews and local lives were saved," she said. "We truly believe that combining seven controls into one would massively reduce the service we provide to our county community.

"The people of Gloucestershire will lose our specific knowledge of our fire appliances, crews, specialised procedures and immense local knowledge of our county.

She added that advice given by control room staff could save lives.

"On Tuesday night the operator was able to give life-saving instructions and reassurance to the callers while her two colleagues liaised with the fire crews and other services en route to the scene."

Mrs Tully said constant connection with the callers enabled crews to pitch ladders straight to them.

"The information given by the caller even led to their cat being rescued by the crews. This incident has highlighted our skills, knowledge and efficient way of working within a watch environment.

"Sadly, if regionalised, we will not have time to stay on the line due to increase of call numbers and less staff ratio."

Gloucestershire's deputy chief fire officer, Terry Standing, said incidents like the Blanchworth one highlight the worth of the Gloucestershire Tri-Service Centre.

He added: "The close-working relationship between the emergency services, coupled with their own individual skills, resulted in two people being successfully rescued, treated and cared for throughout this whole ordeal in an efficient and effective manner."

Free advice about making a home fire escape plan and home fire risk assessment are available by calling 01452 753333 or by visiting www.glosfire.gov.uk