Elderly man taken to hospital after firefighters rescue him from home
AN elderly man has been taken to hospital after a house fire.
Emergency services were called to Hilcote Street, South Normanton, on Tuesday evening after a neighbour heard a smoke alarm and saw smoke outside.
A man aged in his 80s was rescued from the house just after 7.20pm by crews from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.
He was taken in an ambulance to Kings Mill Hospital, in Mansfield, to be treated for smoke inhalation.
In total three fire engines – two from Alfreton and one from Ashfield in Nottinghamshire – an air ambulance, a land ambulance and police were sent to the incident.
Police closed the road while emergency services dealt with the fire, which caused substantial damage to the house.
An investigation into what happened has concluded the fire started accidentally.
Group manager Nathan Stevens, who was in charge at the scene and investigated the fire, said: “Sadly this is another devastating accidental house fire causing extensive damage to a property and involving an older member of our community, only days before Christmas.
“Yesterday we appealed to members of the public to take a minute to check in on elderly relatives, neighbours and friends to talk to them about fire safety and check that they have working smoke alarms and know what to do in the event of a fire.
“So once again, I’d like to echo that plea and ask people to take a few minutes to pick up the phone, or call in on someone and talk to them about staying safe from the risks of fire. Thankfully on this occasion a neighbour heard the smoke alarm sounding and was able to raise the alarm and call 999 so fire crews could attend and rescue the gentleman.”
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue added that people who do smoke should never do so in bed, should use a proper ashtray, not leave their smoking instrument lying around while lit and make sure their cigarettes are completely out when disposing of them.