Firemen rescue children in blaze

Feb 11 2008 By Steve Johnson

TWO children were taken to hospital after being rescued from a smoke-filled house in the Black Country today.

Firefighters had to break into the house in Merridale Road, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, to reach the children, who were trapped in a bedroom.

Crew Commander Phil Gee, of Tettenhall fire station, said that the drama began when a fire broke out in a car parked on the driveway of the house.

"There was nothing suspicious about the fire, it appears it started because of an electrical fault," he said.

"But flames and smoke from the car spread to the house, leaving two young children trapped in a first-floor bedroom.

"Firefighters had to make a forced entry into the house through a rear door to reach the children, who were led to safety.

"They were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

"They had swallowed a fair bit of smoke," he added.

Mr Gee said that there were poisonous fumes from the car fire which added to the concerns over the children.

"Burning plastic causes cyanide to be given off which made the situation more serious.

"The house was full of smoke and crews wearing breathing apparatus went into the house to bring the children downstairs to safety," he added. Crews were called to the house at 8.50am and investigations were continuing into how the fire started.