In the early hours of Wednesday, September 12th, two fire engines from Ross-on-Wye Fire Station were called to a house fire.

The fire was started by a tumble dryer in the utility room, and Ross Fire Station believe that the likely cause appeared to be ’a build up of fluff in the extractor pipe’.

The kitchen door was closed, so fortunately the damage was limited. The smoke alarms, which were fully working, woke the sleeping residents. This meant that everybody in the house was able to vacate safely and call 999. Paramedics on the scene checked the residents for smoke inhalation, before discharging them at the scene.

The fire was extinguished by two breathing apparatus wearers, who had one hose reel. A thermal imaging camera was used to ensure that the fire had been fully extinguished, with no hot spots remaining. The smoke was then cleared, with a big fan, using positive pressure ventilation.

For advice on preventing fires, check the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue website at http://www.hwfire.org.uk.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now