Tenants escape flat fire (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tenants escape flat fire

FOUR adults and a baby are lucky to be alive after a fire ripped through their flat in Tetbury, writes Elizabeth Kemble.

It was the screams of two lodgers in the early hours of Saturday morning that first alerted Martyn and Tracey Smith to the emergency.

Mr Smith, 23, said: "We would have died if we hadn't heard the screams. "We normally have the bedroom door open to have the cats in but this time we shut the door and the cats were in the living room.

"We were asleep and wouldn't have smelt the smoke.

"I tried to smash the window but couldn't, its double glazing, so I went to see what was going on.

"I could see flames by the airing cupboard in the front room, it was full of smoke and the flat was really hot.

"I burst into the room where the lodgers were and saw Jason hanging the baby out of the window stopping her getting too much smoke.

"I told them to get out and went to get Tracey.

"We all got out, thankfully our bedroom doors are at the top of the stairs.

"The baby was fine I just couldn't believe it, all she was interested in was her dummy which had been left in the house."

Mr Smith tried to get back into the flat to rescue the cats but was pulled back by a neighbour.

He said: "The neighbours were out before we were, there was about 30 to 40 people outside and they had been shouting up the stairs 'get the baby out and get out' - it was about 1.30am.

"It turned out the cats had already escaped and were fine.

"The adrenaline must have kicked in because I was fine until my mum and dad drove up and then I just broke down.

"When we went back into the flat to look around the smoke damage was horrific, the lodgers doors had half burned and the TV had melted.

"The wedding photos and papers are all right and I'm happy with that.

"We want to thank the people who helped us especially Terry and Pauline Eddolls."

The Smith's have lived in the Fosseway Housing Association (FHA) flat in Lowfield Road for around five years.

They are now living with family in the area.

Mr Smith said: "We must have got somebody looking after us because about five years ago we were walking past the chip shop in the town when a van hit the kerb and ploughed right into the shop narrowly missing us."

Tetbury fire station commander Colin Clark said: "They were extremely lucky to get out alive.

"If one woman hadn't have been slightly awake and had her wits about her it could have been much more serious.

"A fire investigation did take place but was inconclusive as to what caused it.

"They all suffered from smoke inhalation and shock and were treated at the scene by the ambulance service."

FHA director of operations Stephen Cook said: "We are very pleased that nobody was hurt in the incident.

"The family are staying in temporary accommodation while we work with our insurers to repair their home to enable the family to move back in as soon as possible."

One fire engine from Tetbury and two engines from Nailsworth attended the blaze.