A family of five had a lucky escape last night (Tuesday, 15 May) after two smoke alarms alerted them to a fire in their home.
At 11.20pm, Thames Valley Fire Control Service received a report of a fire at a house on The Meadway in Tilehurst.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Dee Road, Caversham Road and Wokingham Road were sent to the scene.
Upon arrival, firefighters identified five people that had escaped out of the first-floor window of the property. They were given oxygen therapy for smoke inhalation and first aid treatment before being placed into the care of South Central Ambulance Service.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry and located a fire in the kitchen. They used a hose reel to extinguish the blaze. Crews were on the scene for around an hour and 15 minutes.
Station Manager, Steve Beard, said: “We regularly remind residents of the importance of having smoke alarms and testing them weekly and this incident reinforces this message. Fortunately, this family escaped but it could have been a lot worse if they hadn’t been alerted by the detectors.”
To help keep you and your loved ones safe, make sure you’re up to date with the latest smoke alarm safety advice:
- Install smoke alarms in your home, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Test smoke alarms every week to make sure they are working.
- The best places to fit them are at the bottom of the stairs, with further smoke alarms on each stair landing.
- The ideal position is on the ceiling, as near as possible to the centre of the room, hallway or landing.
More information about smoke alarms is available on our website: www.rbfrs.co.uk/your-safety/safety-at-home/smoke-alarms.