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Resident Shelley Graham said: “We knew something was up when our dog Mizz came in the bedroom, barking and whining – and that’s when I smelt the smoke. When I got to the hallway, it was full of smoke and the front door was alight. In the end, I managed to get out into the back garden.”
Escalating fire
As the fire spread rapidly, two quick-thinking neighbours grabbed a ladder to help a man and woman in a neighbouring flat climb down from a balcony. One of the rescuers, Brian Harris, said: “There were bottles exploding and everything. We got everybody out then put a ladder up at the back to help the people who live upstairs.”
He continued: “It wasn’t easy because the woman has learning difficulties and, at first, she became quite disorientated so she refused to leave and locked the doors and windows. But we managed to coax her out and we’re just glad that everyone’s safe.”
When they arrived, FESS co-ordinator Peter Gray and volunteer Ben Mawby were impressed by the resolve of the community. Peter remembered: “That morning, I really noticed a sense of community amongst the residents – people were so willing to help each other out.”
Practical support
He added: “We supported those who had been evacuated from their flats, taking them into the vehicle and offering them warm drinks and blankets. People had needed to leave their homes so quickly that many were just stood in their pyjamas.
“We also helped residents get in touch with their insurers and worked with the local housing authority as they arranged temporary accommodation for people. Our vehicle provided a great warm and dry area in which they could relax and think about what to do next.”
Besides helping residents affected by fire, the volunteers are also there to help the emergency professionals in any way they can. Peter said: “Whenever we’re called out, we just do what’s needed and – at many incidents – that includes supporting the statutory services as they do their job. So on that morning, we kept up a steady supply of warm drinks and refreshments for the firefighters.”
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