 A family where lucky to escape a fire in the early hours thanks to a smoke alarm and quick thinking. The family of five lived in Chestnut Way, Burton Christchurch and now are in temporary accomodation. This was just one of three major fires in the conurbation on Thursday.
The family were awoken by the smoke alarm in the early hours and the father, Paul Hicks 28, tried to open the front bedroom windows but the child safety locks were on. Realising there was no time he opened a rear window and threw a mattress out of the window onto a garden gazebo below and climgbed out.
The mother, Cyndi Rostigina, 26, then handed down their three daughters, Chloe 9, Paige 6 and Abby 3. Their jump down was cushioned by the gazebo and mattress. Then Miss Rostigina jumped down herself. The family were unharmed but treated for shock and smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene.
Dorset Fire Service spokesman said that "it is believed that a cigarette butt started the fire in the sofa, which has completely gutted the living room. The rest of the house is mainly smoke damaged. Due to the fact that they had two working alarms and exited swiftly this fire hadn't been more tragic story.
Mr. Hicks said later" Ten years of stuff gone just like that. We wil have to start all over again with just two bin bags of salvaged things. Thank God we had those smoke alarms"
Fire crews from Christchurch and Ferndown attended the scene which was quickly brought under control.
"the reason this family have been lucky is due to two things. Working smoke alarms and swift exit - Fire Stn Manager"
The other major fires were in a family's luxury home in Western Avenue, Branksome which was completely destoyed. The family were on holiday in the USA.
The other fire in a block of flats in Windham Road, Springbourne started at 10.15 am on Thursday. The occupants were alerted to the fire by the pet dog "Tyson". One of the occupants who is 28 weeks pregnant said the dog was running round in circles and whining at the door. She discovered smoke pourin gunder the door and used a damp towel to block it off. She said she had seen it done on the TV.
Firemen climbed in via a ladder through the window while the other firefighters tackeld the blaze on the ground floor.
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