Smoke alarm alerts elderly lady to fire

Fire engine.

A 90-year-old pensioner from Rochdale escaped a potentially fatal fire thanks to smoke alarms fitted as part of a programme of free Home Fire Risk Assessments carried out by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

Luckily the lady had taken advantage of the free life saving service, which included having two smoke alarms fitted, in December 2009 - when GMFRS worked in partnership with Rochdale Housing Services to carry out the Home Fire Risk Assessment.

The fire service received a call late Sunday evening, (9 January 2011), from a lady who lives on Milnrow’s Beechfield Road - reporting that a pan of food was on fire in her neighbour’s house. The caller believed the fire was out but her neighbour was still inside the smoke logged property - resulting in three fire crews, from Rochdale and Littleborough, being mobilised. On arrival at the address fire-fighters found there had been a fire involving the cooker in the kitchen.

The elderly lady was suffering from smoke inhalation and was assessed by paramedics, but did not need any further treatment.

Deputy County Fire Officer Jim Owen said: “If you have a fire in your home a smoke alarm will buy you valuable time…time to put your escape plan into action, and bring yourself and your family to safety. Fortunately in this case the occupier had working smoke alarms - I cannot emphasise enough the importance of having these fitted.”

If you, or anyone you know, has concerns about fire safety in the home then visit www.safe4winter.com – where you will find many safety tips – including how to book a free fire safety check – which you can also arrange by calling 0800 555 815.

• http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/51371/firefighters-tackle-cooker-blazes