'Lucky' family flee after house fire over Shropshire border
A neighbour had to come to the aid of a family who were forced to flee their home through a first floor window after a fire in the early hours of this morning.
A man and a woman in their 30s, together with two girls aged eight and four, were trapped on the first floor after a candle set a ground floor room alight and the property near Whitchurch became heavily smoke logged.
A neighbour was able to assist all occupiers in escaping from a first floor window via a ladder. The family was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
Fire crews attended the incident in Threapwood after being alerted to the fire at 12.58am today.
Firefighters used four sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reels to tackle the fire.
Tony Jones, from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, has warned people of the dangers of using candles.
He said: "The occupiers were extremely lucky to escape from this fire, especially as the property had no working smoke alarms - there is no doubt the survival advice given over the telephone saved their lives.
"Candles can easily develop into a fire and every year we see countless incidents where an open flame left unattended can leave a trail of devastation.
"The fire was confined to the room of origin on the ground floor, causing 20 per cent fire damage and 80 per cent heavy heat damage – but the entire property was heavily smoke logged and prevented the occupants from escaping down the stairs. Without a smoke alarm this could easily have led to tragedy but luckily they smelt the smoke and were able to escape with the help of neighbours.
"Even with these precautions, it's vital to be prepared should the worst happen. A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to get out, stay out, and call 999. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by testing your alarm regularly and by planning and practising an escape route."
