Woman, 94, led to safety in Shropshire fire drama
A pensioner was led to safety by neighbours after flames from a bonfire spread to the garage of her home in a Shropshire village.
Helen Gardner, 94, was oblivious to the drama until neighbours were able to get inside the house in Dudleston Heath and get her out.
The blaze started just before 8.30pm on Wednesday after sparks from a bonfire in an adjoining garden set the fence between the homes on fire.
Flames then took hold of Mrs Gardner's garage causing the roof to collapse.
Neighbours raced to the house and were able to help her outside.
John and Jennifer Peate, friends of the pensioner, were returning home when they saw the fire.
"We were so worried and rushed to see what was happening.
"I was so relieved when we saw Helen sitting in a chair outside with a blanket round her and having a cup of tea," said Mr Peate.
"The Ellesmere fire crew was fantastic, up here just four minutes after the 999 call. The fire started from a bonfire next door."
Mrs Gardner said that she had not been aware of the fire until her neighbours alerted her.
"I am so grateful. I don't know what I would have done without them," she said.
"They have all been very kind."
Another neighbour took Mrs Gardner in for the night and others have pledged to keep an eye on her.
A spokesman for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire involved one wooden out-building which was destroyed. A double garage housing a private car was also involved in the fire."
Firefighters used a thermal image camera to make checks and they were able to leave the scene at 9pm.
Adam Matthews, of the service, said people should always stay with a bonfire, have extinguishing materials on standby and ensure that the fire is completely extinguished.
"It only takes one ember to jump out from the ashes of a bonfire and jump over to grass or a dry piece of wood and you have a problem," he said.
"And it only takes one gust of wind to get under the ashes and move the embers."
