Smoke alarms made that vital difference for a family in Bradford after they awoke to their house on fire.
Firefighters had carried out a home fire safety check at the home in Ackworth Street, West Bowling, Bradford two years ago. The smoke alarms fitted during the visit alerted the sleeping family to the fire in their home at 3.18am Sunday morning (23/09).
Emergency control operators gave safety advice and helped to keep the occupants calm prior to the arrival of firefighters, who rescued a man and a woman from the first floor. A third adult had already escaped the house before fire crews arrived.
Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using two hose reels.
Bradford District Commander Jim Butters said: “This is an excellent example of how smoke alarms save lives. They alert you to the fire in the first place and give you the best possible chance of surviving. This shows how successful our fire prevention work has been across West Yorkshire in recent years.
“Our emergency control operators also did an outstanding job here to pass on essential and accurate information to fire crews before they arrived, and to reassure the occupants who were clearly distressed. This was an excellent example of the fire service working at its best – from prevention through to response.”
For information about booking a free home fire safety check, which usually involves the fitting of free smoke alarms, call 0800 587 45 36 or contact your local fire station.
