Four rescued from flat fire on Sunday

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to respond to a flat fire in Edinburgh on Sunday evening 19 October 2014.

Just after 6.30pm the fire service control received a 999 call reporting a fire in the ground floor stairwell of a three storey building at Moredun Park Green in Gilmerton.

Fire appliances from Liberton, Dalkeith, Newcraighall and an aerial rescue platform from Tollcross were used in the rescue.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus used a high pressure hosereel to put the fire out and rescued four female residents from the upper flats.

Due to the high volume of smoke contained within the stairwell a nine metre ladder was used to carry out the rescue.

Three of the casualties, one of which was a one-year-old baby were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary suffering from smoke inhalation.

The Incident Commander said that smoke detectors raised the alarm and stressed how important it was that every home has smoke alarms fitted and that they are tested regularly to ensure they work.

Group Manager Joe Andrews said: “The activation of smoke detectors contained in the residents flats alerted the occupants to the presence of fire within the stairwell and provided a vital early warning. Residents then had time to raise the alarm.

“Smoke detectors really do save lives and we would urge anyone who does not have one fitted to contact SFRS and arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit. We can provide smoke alarms free of charge.”

SFRS’s fire investigation unit attended the scene and the cause of the incident is still being investigated.