Family urge people to get smoke alarms after theirs alerted them to fire

The family meet with firefighters who rescued them

A family trapped in their home by fire after their car was set alight has been reunited with firefighters who rescued them.

Katie, her partner Andrew Rattigan, and their children headed down to Heywood Fire Station on Wednesday 14 August  – when they met Green Watch and Cracker the GMFRS mascot.

In the early hours of Sunday 30 June, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) received an emergency call reporting a fire involving a car on a driveway on Green Lane. The fire was blocking the family’s escape route.

Hearing loud bangs from the burning car and smoke alarms sounding in the middle of the night, terrified mother of two Katie Bartle ran to her daughters’ bedroom at the front of the house where she could see light flickering from outside. She was shocked to see her car on fire.

Quick-thinking Katie remembered advice given to her during a GMFRS Home Safety Check (HSC) and led four-year-old Millie and two-year-old Maisie into a bedroom at the back of the house, closing the door behind them.

Katie then dialled 999 and was given advice by Control Operator Dave Sherliker, who reassured her that firefighters would be there within minutes and asked her to keep calm and stay where they were.

Dave said: “Understandably Katie was a bit panicky when she called us saying that her and her family were trapped inside as the fire was right outside the front door.

“I advised her to stay where she was in the back bedroom and reassured her that she would be safe there until firefighters arrived.”

Watch Manager Colin Moran from Green Watch at Heywood Fire Station was just one firefighter who went to the incident.

Colin said: “When we arrived there was a car well alight on the drive which had started spreading to the front door, window, facia and roof soffit.

“As soon as firefighters had put the fire out Crew Manager Dave Dawson went inside and found the family waiting in a back bedroom.

“Understandably the young children were frightened after all of the loud noises, smoky smells and being woken up in the middle of the night – but this fire could have been much worse if it had actually got inside the house.

“Luckily Katie and her family had booked a HSC with us and the alarms we fitted brought the fire to their attention. The HSC also equipped her with the knowledge of what to do in the event of a fire.”

Katie said: “We were terrified but I remember what firefighters told me when I had a Home Safety Check a couple of years ago. They told me everything we needed to know to stay safe and things you should do if you have a fire.

“I can’t thank the firefighters enough, and also Dave in Control who really reassured me when I rang 999 - he even stayed on the phone until firefighters arrived.

“Also GMFRS’ Fire Investigation Team was really helpful and helped with reporting the incident to the police – who are now investigating the matter as other cars were set on fire in the street that night too.

“I wasted no time in contacting GMFRS to say how pleased I was with the help we had received and was really happy to be invited with family to meet the firefighters who helped us at the fire station.”

During their fire station visit the whole family got to watch firefighters taking part in ladder training and had a tour of the station, with Millie and Maisie also having cuddles with Cracker, sitting in a fire engine and having a squirt of the water hose.

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, David Acton, said: “This incident just goes to show the importance of having working smoke alarms and we can’t reiterate enough that they really do save lives.

“Anyone who wishes to book a Home Safety Check can do so by calling 0800 555 815 or visiting http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/fire_safety_advice/home_fire_risk_assessments.aspx.”