Lucky escape for boys in Chinnor fire

A 13 year-old boy from Chinnor was taken to hospital on Saturday (30/01/10)with burns to his hands and legs when a garage he was in was destroyed by fire.

Oxfordshire County County Council Fire and Rescue Service were called to the fire at Hedgerley, Chinnor, at 4pm. The Garage and parts of the house were severely damaged. The Fire started in the garage of the semi detached property and completely destroyed the garage and caused damage to the rooms above and the roof.

Crews form Thame, Watlington and Oxford attended the incident, supported by the Specialist Rescue Unit from Kiddlington with specialist equipment to monitor the temperature of the Gas Cylinder.

Fear of Gas cylinder exploding

Station Officer at Thame fire station, Andy Ford, Said: “We were faced on arrival with a developed fire in the garage and already spreading the first floor. The Fire fighters had to deal with the additional hazards of an LPG cylinder in the fire and also the mains gas and electricity supplies damaged due the intensity of the fire.

“our main concern due the cylinder being involved, was to ensure everyone was out of the properties and the area evacuated in case of an explosion. We were also faced with the mains gas supply leaking into the garage and also the mains electric cable arcing due to the supply meters in the garage being damaged by the fire. Our main priority was to make the garage safe before we could commit Fire-fighters with breathing apparatus into the building to limit the damage to the rest of the house.”

Support for the family

Due to the damage to the house, the Red Cross Incident support unit attended to assist the family with the aftermath of the fire. They provide advice, warm clothing and help and support in such areas as contacting Insurances, and finding alternative accommodation following a Fire.

The fire is believed to have started when an aerosol was knocked over and leaking gas was ignited by the LPG gas fire in the garage keeping it warm.

Lucky escape

Two boys in the garage at the time had a very lucky escape, when the father was able to bend open the garage door and let them out.
“They were very lucky to get out as they would not have survived if they had been stuck in the garage for much longer,” added Andy Ford.

“Fire spreads very quickly and this highlights how dangerous keeping flammables such as aerosols near to a heat source can be. We strongly recommend keeping aerosols and flammable liquids stored in a safe place or cabinet and away from any heat sources.

“The fire was extinguished quickly by the attending fire crews but they had to remain in attendance for some hours until the Gas and Electric supplies had been cut off. This made the building safe and allowed Fire Fighters to clear the garage and ensure the fire was completely out.”