Fire hoax victim badly hurt in plunge

Oct 5 2005 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

A WOMAN was badly injured today falling 30ft from her flat after hoaxers led her to believe there was a fire.

The 28-year-old shouted "fire" to neighbours and fled to her bedroom window to escape after callers sprayed powder from a fire extinguisher through the letter box of her third-floor home at Sidwick Crescent, Bilston.

Firefighters arrived to find her desperately clinging to the window ledge, but as they set up ladders for a rescue she lost her grip. The woman landed on concrete and suffered suspected back, neck and leg injuries. She was treated by firefighters and paramedics and taken to New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton.

Police were today making inquiries among neighbours after reports that the woman had been taunted by children in the past.

Leading Firefighter Dave Walters said his Bilston crew arrived at about 12.30 am after reports of a fire.

"When we arrived there was no actual fire but a woman was hanging from the third floor window. As we began setting up the ladder she fell on the concrete below. We gave her oxygen and first aid. She was conscious throughout, but moaning."

Mr Walters said inquiries revealed the woman had been hanging from the window for ten minutes before losing her grip.

He said: "It became apparent from talking to neighbours that she had been taunted in the past by children in the area. A dry powder fire extinguisher had earlier been set off through her letter box. A neighbour said she had heard the footsteps of someone running away and then the woman screaming 'fire'."