Firefighters rescue passed-out Islander from flat blaze

Monday 16 March 2015

Firefighters rescued an unconscious person from a fire in a town flat in the early hours of this morning.

Around 30 residents were evacuated from the building in St Saviour's Road before two firefighters in breathing apparatus searched the premises and found one person lying unconscious in their apartment. The firefighters took them outside to be treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

The call to the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service came in at 00.23 this morning, saying that there was “a strong smell of burning” on the second floor of the building.

Two fire engines crewed by firefighters from Green Watch attended, backed up by on-call firefighters from headquarters.

A statement from the fire service this morning said: “Information given to the fire crews on arrival stated that the occupants of the home involved could still be inside.

“As residents which consisted of adults and young children were evacuated to a nearby hotel.

“Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the affected property to carry out search and rescue operations

“An unconscious person was quickly located and taken to fresh air where emergency first aid was given on scene, before the casualty was transported to hospital by waiting paramedics.

“Firefighters re-entered the property which was issuing thick black acrid smoke to continue their search as it was unknown how many people were in the flat.”

The fire is being blamed on cooking left unattended.

While the crews were in St Saviour’s Road, they received another call to a chimney fire at Beaumont – an on-call crew was dispatched, and found that the fire had spread to timber beams located in a void within the walls of the building.

Watch Commander Ricard Ryan said: “Having to attend two property fires at the same time involved all on duty firefighters including the Chief Fire Officer and a Group Commander being utilised, stretching the immediately available Fire & Rescue resources to the maximum.”

Picture credit: Jersey Fire and Rescue Service