Control room calms woman as firefighters rush to tackle blaze

Senior News Reporter

Wednesday 30 January 2013

A WOMAN trapped in a burning tenement received advice over the phone on how to survive as she waited to be saved.

tables turned: A firefighter helps a man from a window on to a ladder at the scene of the blaze in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh as colleagues stand ready. Main picture: PA

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BRIAN DONNELLY

Five people were rescued and three managed to flee yesterday's blaze in Edinburgh, which was tackled by more than 50 firefighters.

Four women, including the resident who was reassured by fire service control room staff, and a man who are all thought to be in their 20s were helped down by firefighters using a turntable ladder from the first floor of the tenement in the Fountainbridge area.

Two women believed to be in their 50s who managed to escape the building were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary suffering from severe smoke inhalation and another man who also fled the fire did not need treatment.Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said five appliances were sent to the scene along with a number of specialist appliances after its control centre received several calls.The first units were on the scene within two minutes of being mobilised from nearby Tollcross fire station.A fire service spokesman said: "When crews arrived, they saw thick black smoke and flames coming from the window of the affected property and discovered two women who were already out of the building but who had been badly affected by smoke inhalation."Control room operators will keep a caller on the line until the crew can reach them, and advice would include where to position yourself, such as staying low or getting to a window, the spokesman said.They will also guide crews and try to keep the caller calm.Ten firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled the fire and checked the six properties in the affected stair for other residents. Other crews checked nearby properties to ensure no-one else was trapped, and the all-clear was given just after midday.Lothian Road was closed for several hours as the investigation to find the cause began.

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Control room calms woman as firefighters rush to tackle blaze

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