Woman and three children flee house fire in Ashford
by Samantha Williams
A mother who fled a house fire with her three children says she
has been left in utter shock and disbelief that a candle could
cause so much damage.
Examining the aftermath this morning, Amanda McLaren,
38, said: “It’s like I’m looking at someone else’s life, someone
else’s house.
“I am completely gobsmacked at how quickly it all happened.
Thank God everyone is alive and safe.”
Two fire engines and 11 firefighters were called to the
house in Bushy Royds, South Willesborough at 7.55pm last night.
The fire started in the living room after an unattended candle
on the mantelpiece set alight a wall-mounted television above
it.
Amanda said: “I popped upstairs to put my eldest to bed at
7.30pm, and I had a quick wash. When I came down the stairs I
thought ‘that candle looks a bit fierce’. I then realised the TV
was on fire.
“I had no idea what to do. I ran into the kitchen to grab a tea
towel to try and put the flames out.”
It only took Amanda seconds to realise that the fire was too big
for her to extinguish, so she called 999, and then ran upstairs to
rescue her three children.
The two youngest, William, two, and James, one, were asleep in
the nursery, which is above the living room.
Amanda, who works as a Slimming World consultant, said: “I got
the two babies out first, put them in the car, and then ran back in
to get my four-year-old, George.
“After making sure all three children were safe I ran back into
the house again to shut the doors.
“It felt like forever before the fire crews turned up, even
though it was probably only five minutes. I think I was in
shock”
"I am completely gobsmacked at how quickly it all happened. Thank God everyone is alive and safe" – Mum Amanda McLaren
Even the family cat,
Jasmin (pictured), didn't escape unscathed - it got covered in soot
from the fire.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house
and put the fire out. A search was carried out and all the windows
were opened to allow for ventilation.
An ambulance from the South East Heart Team also attended, but
no one needed assistance.
Amanda said: “When I tried to put the fire out I burnt my
fingers, but adrenaline had kicked in so I didn’t even think to
tell the ambulance about it.
“When I was allowed back in the house, I was in disbelief at how
bad the damage was – just from a candle.
“This might make other people think twice about leaving a candle
unattended.”
Fire crews were at the scene for just over an hour.
Watch manager Jim Sanderson, from Ashford’s Blue Watch, said:
“We would like to get two very important messages across. Please
don’t leave candles unattended, even if it is only for a few
minutes.
“Also if you have a fire in your house, don’t try and put it out
yourself, and don’t delay getting out; just get out and stay
out.”
07/11/12
- Click here for more news from across the county...