Battery charger in shed causes Thame fire

OXFORDSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service were called at 09:28am today (18/08) to a fire in a garage which was quickly spreading to the attached bungalow, in Chestnut Avenue, Thame.

Image courtesy of @HeartThamesNews

Fire appliances from Wheatley, Slade, Watlington and Aylesbury, from neighbouring county Buckinghamshire, quickly attended the fire. The crews used hose reels and firefighting jets to quickly bring the fire under control. Crews were also committed inside the property wearing breathing apparatus to stop the fire from spreading to the adjoining property. Large fans were used to ventilate the property to reduce any further damage from smoke.

The fire was started when a battery for a model aircraft, that was charging in the garage, became overheated and caught fire.
‎
The occupiers of the property got safely out of the house, however one of the occupiers of the property had breathed in smoke when removing dangerous hazards from the garage and was treated by South Central Ambulance service.

Station Manager Reay from OFRS said ” The crews did an excellent job working swiftly and effectively to stop the fire spreading and taking hold in the roof above the living accommodation. The gentleman was checked out by South Central Ambulance service at the scene for smoke inhalation and was given the all clear, having entered the property during the fire. Although this helped to reduce the intensity of the fire, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service always urge that once you are out of the building, and have called the fire service out, you stay out.”

Crews will be doing a hot-strike in the street in the next week giving fire safety advice to residents about the importance of having smoke alarms and the dangers of fire.

Visit www.365alive.co.uk for fire safety advice. If you have a fire safety question please call the free phone community safety helpline on 08000 325 999 or email: community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk