Bad parking stops fire engine attending house fire

A family had a lucky escape after a fire started in their home early this morning. 

The resident had got up early to go to work and noticed water dripping from the downstairs ceiling. On further investigation she realised the upstairs was beginning to fill with smoke and there was a fire in an airing cupboard on the landing. 

After calling 999 firefighters were initially delayed in attending the incident due to inconsiderate parking.

Watch Manager Stephen Allen, Harlow Fire Station, said:

"Although two of our fire engines were on their way, inconsiderate parking made it difficult for us to get to the property. Thankfully we were able to get one fire engine through but the crew on the other fire engine had to make the last part of the journey on foot.

"In an emergency situation seconds matter, so we urge the public to think twice about how and where they are parking. If there's any chance an emergency vehicle can't get through then park somewhere else."

When firefighters arrived at the property they quickly surrounded the fire, extinguished it and cleared the house of smoke.

Watch Manager Stephen Allen said:

"This house didn't have any working smoke alarms, so it was very lucky the woman had got up early. If it had happened at 3am it's likely the family wouldn't have known and wouldn't have got out. 

"The fire was caused by an electric heater which had been left on in the cupboard; after catching alight the plastic pipes had melted which is what caused the water to begin leaking, and soaking through the ceiling."

"The biggest piece of advice I can give to anyone to protect their family is to have a working smoke alarm on every level of their home. It will alert you to the first sign of fire and probably save your life."