Fire Service Praise Actions of Neighbours

Fire crews who attended a severe house fire in Sutherland Street in the
Highfields area of Leicester last night have praised the actions of quick
thinking neighbours who rescued four people prior to the arrival of the Fire
Service.

Five fire engines were sent to a severe house fire at around 0055 hours last
night following several calls stating that people were trapped in the burning
property.

Neighbours had taken up broken paving slabs and broke down the front door,
formed a human chain with buckets of water and rescued four people
(including two children) prior to Fire Service attendance.
Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus prevented two adults from
jumping from upper floors and passed them to colleagues on ladders.
Altogether, eight people were rescued (including three children from the
house which had a severe fire in the front ground floor living room. At this
early stage it is believed that the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
Andy Daybell from LF&RS was one of the first fire officers on the scene and
whilst he was quick to praise the neighbours, he also wishes to remind people
that our advice is to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL THE FIRE SERVICE
OUT, ‘but last night they got away with it and their quick actions lead to lives
being saved’.

On the down side, a smoke alarm was fitted, but the battery had been
disconnected. This is very disappointing for LF&RS as it reminds us that our
safety messages are not always getting through.
A properly working smoke detector would have given an early warning and
allow the family to escape unharmed.

ENDS

Contact Information
For more information please contact - Dave Glenis 07800 709 881 or
Andy Daybell 07736 848 600

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