Woman Rescued From Fire

25 September 2011, 12:00 | Updated: 25 September 2011, 12:05

A woman's been rescued after collapsing on her balcony while trying to escape a fire.

Firefighters were called to a three-storey house on Ramsons Avenue, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes at 3.20pm on Saturday 24 September 2011.  A neighbour called 999 after noticing smoke coming through an open door leading to a balcony on the middle floor.

After locating the woman, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus closed the door to the lounge and gave her oxygen on the balcony.  Their colleagues searched the rest of the house, put out the fire and cleared the smoke with a fan. Firefighters and paramedics then helped the woman down the stairs.

Watch Manager Andy Whitwham from Newport Pagnell Fire Station, said: "Thick black smoke was pouring out when we arrived and the neighbour told us there might be someone inside.

"The fire was in the lounge, and the occupant had crawled out on to the balcony, where she was overcome by smoke.

"Conditions were very difficult because of the heavy smoke and the substantial damage to the room, and crews had to work extremely hard."

The house had working smoke alarms which were sounding when firefighters arrived.  It's not yet known what caused the fire.

Fire crews were sent to the scene from Newport Pagnell, Broughton and Great Holm, along with a turntable ladder from Aylesbury.