Lucky escape from fire for Wellesbourne family

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging residents to ensure that they have working smoke alarms fitted in their home after a family have a lucky escape from a house fire in Wellesbourne.

Fire crews received the call at 12.34am to a kitchen fire on Hunscote Lane, Wellesbourne on the 9 June 2016.

The fire was caused by an extractor fan which was left running to circulate cool air. When it burned out, it caused a fire in the roof space of the kitchen. What saved the property and the three-year-old twins in the room above was working smoke alarms and the quick thinking of a neighbour, who isolated the power and used a fire extinguisher on the affected area.

Wellesbourne Fire crew attended the incident. On arrival the fire had been put out, but crews used a small gear and thermal image camera to check over the roof space to ensure the fire was completely out. They also assisted with the ventilation of the property.

Talking about the incident, Watch Commander for Wellesbourne, Andy McKelivie said:

“On this occasion the family had a lucky escape thanks the early warning from their smoke alarms and the quick action of their neighbour. Had there been no smoke alarms, we could well have been looking at a different story.

“So please don’t delay in fitting a smoke alarm in your home. They give you the early warning you need and they ensure that you get to keep the ones you love safe!”

Free home fire safety checks are available to vulnerable residents. For more information log onto: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/firesafetycheck