The Brigade’s 999 Control officers helped a man trapped in his bedroom by smoke last night following a fire in his house in Roxwell Road in Shepherd’s Bush this morning
Control officers gave vital fire survival guidance while fire crews were en route to the scene, telling him to open a window and they then advised firefighters where he was in the house so they could rescue him.
The man was asleep when the fire started and there were no working smoke alarms in the property to alert him to the developing fire. He was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews before being taken to hospital.
Station manager Andy Walton, who was at the scene, said: “This man has had a terrifying experience but thankfully our Control officers were able to keep him has safe as possible while crews arrived.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is having smoke alarms in your property and to test them regularly. Homes need multiple smoke alarms or you won’t be properly covered. Ideal spots for smoke alarms include rooms where you leave electrical equipment running like satellite boxes, computers or heaters; any room where you smoke, and anywhere you charge your mobile or laptop.
“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most. It is vital that people regularly test their smoke alarms once a month.”
The Brigade was called at 0445 and the fire was under control at 0550. Three fire engines and 14 firefighters and officers from Acton, Chiswick and Hammersmith fire stations attended the scene.
The cause of the fire is believed to be due to the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.