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WOMAN RESCUED FROM BLAZING FLATS
AN injured woman was dug out of rubble by firefighters as the roof caved in around them as fire ripped through a block of flats.
The woman was carried to safety as the blaze swept through the block of 16 flats in Willow Gardens in Hurstpierpoint.
Residents fled their homes, one jumping from a first storey window, after the alarm was raised on Sunday night just before 9pm.
Local hospitals were put on stand-by during the massive emergency operation involving 80 firefighters, 12 fire engines, 12 ambulances and 11 paramedic vehicles, police and other agencies.
The injured woman in her 40s is being treated in intensive care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital after suffering third degree burns to her feet and was this week described as stable.
Three other people were treated for less serious injuries including a firefighter who was struck in the neck by a falling roof tile.
The blaze started inside number 48 in the L-shaped building, owned by Downland Housing Association, and then raced through the roof space in a space of minutes, witnesses reported.
Firefighters Neil Sayers and Adam Morris fought their way through thick smoke and cascading roof tiles and timbers to discover the mother in her 40s collapsed under tiles and plaster.
Crew Commander Neil Sayers said: "The building was well alight with flames coming from the roof from the first floor. We climbed the staircase to the lady's room. It was very, very smoky and the roof had collapsed into the lounge. We could see the sky through the roof.
"We stumbled through the roof tiles and debris and found her lying near the door. She was covered in plaster and had several hundredweight of tiles on top of her."
The woman, who was partially conscious, raised her arm to alert them to her whereabouts and they set to work to dig her out of the piles of tiles.
The crew then helped her to the staircase and she was given first aid at the scene before being taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital while fire crews continued to search the flats for any other victims.
Mr Sayers said: "I have been a firefighter for 17 years and this was a very dangerous job. The whole roof was caving in and this lady was very lucky. It was a big team effort."
Neighbours rallied round to help one man escape from his flat.
Ian Nicholson said: "Six of us helped a guy out of his window. We were shouting 'jump' and he just came down with his legs out and we just helped him down.
He added: "I could see the fire in the middle of the building. To me it seemed like three minutes, then whoosh, it just went. Smoke was billowing out across the road."
Ian and partner Amanda Kerr were having a family barbecue across the road in Willow Way to celebrate her son Samuel's birthday when the alarm was raised.
Amanda, whose mother lives in one of the ground floor flats with her nephew Daniel in the flat above, said: "Some girls came over and said 'Daniel, your flat's on fire'. We could see the smoke."
They raced over to find her mother, who is a wheelchair user, safely out of the building after being assisted by her carers but badly shaken by the experience.
Her nephew Liam Jordan, 17, fought his way into a smoke-filled flat to rescue his cousin Daniel Sawyer's terrified Staffordshire terrier, Zuki, still inside.
Daniel, 21, who had moved into the flat above only five months ago, said he was still numb on Monday: "I'm very shocked. I am waiting to find out if I can get back in."
In the meantime Samuel, 16, and his friend James Carr, 18, rushed to help a dazed elderly man out of his flat before the fire crews arrived.
Sue Norris, tenancy services manager for Downland, who was on the scene on Sunday night and again on Monday morning, said: "Most people are with relatives. Last night we did not get any requests for temporary housing. As soon as we do we will be looking at what accommodation we can provide and sort people out as far as possible. For some of these people it's a tragedy. Hopefully they are going to be able to salvage things."
Shocked residents, including pensioners and children, were moved out of Willow Gardens for their safety while emergency crews carried out checks to make sure everyone was out of the flats and administered first aid.
On Monday fire crews checked for hot spots before a full forensic investigation was launched in a joint police and fire operation.
Tracy Evans, Housing Director, Downland Housing Association said: "This has been a terrible experience for people and we want to do all we can to offer our support. One resident is in hospital and we are very concerned about her.
"Our main concern is for the welfare of our residents. We are not aware of the cause of the fire yet but the fire brigade is investigating this. As soon as they finish their initial investigation we will be helping people get their belongings back from the damaged block and we will be able to have our surveyors assess the damage. If anyone has any queries or concerns they should contact us directly and we will do all we can to help."
Thirty breathing apparatus and 12 hose reels were used by fire crews from Hurstpierpoint, Burgess Hill, Keymer, Henfield, Partridge Green, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Steyning, Shoreham, Hove, Brighton and Bognor.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
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