Smoke alarm saves a life in Christmas blaze
FIREFIGHTERS said working smoke alarms saved the life of a Barwell man when a blaze started in his airing cupboard on Christmas Eve.
Pictures posted by crews from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service showed the devastation caused to the upstairs of the property on Hereford Road.
Three fire engines attended the scene after a neighbour called 999 reporting a fire in the house at around 5.30am on December 24.
It is believed the blaze was sparked in a bedroom airing cupboard quickly spreading through the upstairs of the property.
A statement on the fire service’s website said: “Call received from a lady saying that their next door neighbours house was on fire upstairs and that the neighbour was still in the property.
“Two breathing apparatus and one hose reel used to extinguish fire.
“Crews passed message to say one two story private dwelling involved in fire and fire located in first floor bedroom, occupant was only alerted to this severe fire due to a working smoke alarms.”
Following the incident crews from both Market Bosworth and Hinckley stations posted about the fire on their Facebook pages including showing photographs detailing the damage caused.
Market Bosworth Station said on their page: “Here’s the proof that working smoke alarms save lives, the occupant of this house in Barwell was extremely lucky to escape this incident, their smoke alarm detected the fire and provided him with time to escape the house fire.”
While Hinckley Station said: “Hinckley’s crew have just been to a house fire with assistance from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Market Bosworth.
“It is believed that the fire started in the airing cupboard in an upstairs bedroom.
“As you can see from the photos, the upstairs has been extensively damaged.
“Fortunately the occupier had working smoke alarms which woke them up and allowed them to safely evacuate.”