Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Pendour Park, Lostwithiel at 19/03/2011 18:45

A lady is lucky to be alive this evening, thanks to the actions of her neighbours, when they saw a fire in her house. They could hear the occupant coughing inside and immediately dialled 999 for the Fire Service.

Two fire appliances from Lostwithiel and one fire appliance from Bodmin were mobilised and the caller stayed on the line, relaying potentially life-saving advice to the occupant.

The first fire crew from Lostwithiel was very quickly on scene, just as the occupant, who was suffering smoke inhalation, was being rescued by neighbours.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the two-storey property, measuring six metres by six metres and used one hosereel to extinguish a fire involving a cooker. The occupant was left in care of ambulance personnel and there will be no further information available from the fire service on their condition.

The fire involved food that had been left unattended on a cooker and had caused a lot of smoke that had filled the house. Had it not been for the actions of the neighbours, the incident may well have had tragic consequences.

Fire Safety Advice:
~ Don't leave pans on the hob when you're not around - take them off the heat if you have to leave the kitchen (even if you think it will only be for a moment, while you answer the door or phone)

~ Fires happen when you least expect them. They also spread very quickly, damaging property, killing and injuring people. Smoke alarms are essential for every home.

If you do not have smoke alarms in your home, get some now. If you need advice on any aspect of fire safety in the home, please ask for a free Home Fire Safety Check. We may be able to fit smoke detectors, free of charge. Simply call our freephone telephone on: 0800 3581 999.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7280