Homes evacuated after two major fires

In Kiveton Park a woman and her nine-year-old son were rescued via a bedroom window when they were trapped in their home by fire.

The pair used towels and pillows to stop fire spreading into the bedroom as they waited for fire engines to arrive, on instructions from the fire service control room.

The operator who answered the 999 call said: “I spoke to both the lady and her son, and although very frightened they did exactly as I asked, helping to stay safe until the fire crews arrived.”

Firefighters rescued them by raising a ladder to the upstairs window at the Ash Grove house.

Watch manager Mark Jones said: “The firefighters who rescued the lady and her son saw inside the bedroom and it was full of smoke. I think they only had a couple more minutes left in the room before it got very serious.

“The lady was woken by her smoke alarm but after going to get her son from another bedroom they realised they were trapped because the smoke was coming up the stairs.”

Residents at flats on Lapwater Walk, Wingfield had to take refuge on balconies after a fire was set in the block’s corridor.

Fire crews put out the flames and ventilated the building after being called to the scene at around 4.25am.

One woman was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene but did not attend hospital.