Fire fighters rescue people trapped by fire in Heywood flats

Date published: 06/02/2008

Yesterday (Tuesday 5 February) afternoon fire fighters from Heywood and Rochdale stations were called to a fire in a flat in a three storey building on Bamford Street, Heywood.

On arrival they found a fire in a flat on the first floor, above a sandwich shop, and a number of people who had self rescued from the property but a number of people remained in the property and required rescuing.

Six fire fighters entered the building wearing breathing apparatus to search for the missing people and fight the fire, while other fire fighters pitched ladders to the front and rear of the building to assist in the rescues.

Five people and a dog were rescued by the fire fighters*, three women and two men, and two men self rescued from the building  - all were treated at the scene for a variety of injuries and smoke inhalation - and all subsequently declined hospital treatment. Three more people are thought to have been inside the building at the start of the fire but left before the emergency services arrived.

The fire in the flat was extinguished and an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Fire fighters are likely to remain at the scene for some time.

*List of rescues:

• 50 year old woman rescued via 9 metre ladder from second floor.
• 53 year old woman rescued via 9 metre ladder from second floor.
• 51 year old man rescued from hallway at first floor level.
• 31 year old man and 30 year old woman led to safety by fire fighters when fire had been extinguished.
• 44 year old man self rescued by climbing onto roof and down exterior of building.
• 26 year old man  jumped from second floor, suffering only minor injuries.
• King Charles Spaniel – rescued via 9 metre ladder from second floor.