Lucky escape for occupants after house fire in Banbury

Three fire engines attended a house fire in Old Grimsbury Road in Banbury yesterday (Monday).
Firefighters from Banbury and Deddington were called to a house fire in Old Grimsbury Road, Banbury yesterday (Monday). EMN-151125-160120001Firefighters from Banbury and Deddington were called to a house fire in Old Grimsbury Road, Banbury yesterday (Monday). EMN-151125-160120001
Firefighters from Banbury and Deddington were called to a house fire in Old Grimsbury Road, Banbury yesterday (Monday). EMN-151125-160120001

At 4.10pm Thames Valley Fire Control received a 999 call detailing a house on fire and mobilised two engines from Banbury along with one from Deddington.

On arrival the crew found the occupier standing outside the property detailing that they thought the fire was in the ground floor dining room at the rear of the property.

Two fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and quickly located and extinguished the fire, and then used a high powered fan to blow the smoke out of the house, whilst checks were carried out of neighbouring terraced house to ensure no smoke had entered those.

The fire crews also used specialist thermal imaging equipment to ensure that the fire had not spread unseen through the ceilings and roof space.

John Callaway, watch manager, said: “Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service urge everyone to have working smoke alarms in their homes, consisting of a minimum of one on each level of the property, and to test them once a week.

It is also important that you and anyone else who lives at the property has an emergency plan for what to do in the event of finding a fire in the property, to help you to remain calm and escape safely. Our website www.365alive.co.uk talks you through how to do this”.

If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email [email protected]