Children rescued from burning Brighton building (From The Argus)
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Children rescued from burning Brighton building
3:13pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News By Bill Gardner
Children rescued from burning Brighton building
Three children were dragged to safety from a burning building during a dramatic rescue last night.
Emergency services rushed to Clarence Square in Brighton at around 9:10pm after reports of young people trapped inside a top floor flat.
Five police officers were first on the scene and bravely battled into the house to try and rescue the panicked children - but were beaten back by smoke and flames.
Confusion reigned when fire crews with breathing equipment mistakenly arrived to the wrong side of the house on Western Road where there was no access.
They rushed round to Clarence Square, climbed a ladder to the top floor, smashed in the windows and brought out the terrified children - a four-year-old boy and a girl and boy, both aged 14.
Flames and smoke billowed out onto Western Road, which was closed to traffic for around two hours.
It emerged the girl, who is related to the young boy, had been left to babysit the child while his parents were out.
The 14-year-old boy, a friend of the girl, had been invited over for the evening. Firefighters from Hove fire station said the fire was believed to have been started accidentally by candles.
The flames were brought under control by 10:28 after causing extensive damage to the lounge and kitchen of the flat.
Alice Johnson, 24, who witnessed the aftermath of the drama, said: “You could see the top floor was destroyed and completely burned.
“It's a miracle that the firefighters and police were able to get the kids out without them being hurt.”
The three children and the five police officers, a sergeant and four constables, were treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.
The children were kept in hospital overnight for observation where the four-year-old's parents came to be reunited with their son.
Inspector Richard Delacour, Sussex Police, said: "Police and firefighters worked successfully together to ensure that the three were brought to safety and that nobody else was endangered."
Comments(31)
Minion
says...
6:48pm Fri 29 Jun 12
By the way, you don't 'try and' do something, you 'try to' do something.
Goldenwight
says...
10:01am Sat 30 Jun 12
Regrettablly, it is complete garbage, isn;t it? Apart from the fact that FireTeam attended, there is not a single shred of truth in that story. Hang your head and apologize to your readers.
monkeymoo
says...
10:13am Sat 30 Jun 12
MoronSpotter
says...
11:29am Sat 30 Jun 12
cazm1973
says...
1:11pm Sat 30 Jun 12
Goldenwight wrote:I am a relative of the people involved and was helping them clear out their flat yesterday. Apart from a few minor inconsistencies like the boy is 3 not 4yrs old, the story is accurate. It has been a very stressful and frightening event for all involved and the repercussions of losing their home and belongings are ongoing. Please have a little respect and refrain from making pointless and upsetting comments Goldenwright.
Wonderful story Bill. If it were only true, you would probably win a prize.
Regrettablly, it is complete garbage, isn;t it? Apart from the fact that FireTeam attended, there is not a single shred of truth in that story. Hang your head and apologize to your readers.
MoronSpotter
says...
1:21pm Sat 30 Jun 12
cazm1973 wrote:Good spot cazm1973! We've got another moron.
Goldenwight wrote:I am a relative of the people involved and was helping them clear out their flat yesterday. Apart from a few minor inconsistencies like the boy is 3 not 4yrs old, the story is accurate. It has been a very stressful and frightening event for all involved and the repercussions of losing their home and belongings are ongoing. Please have a little respect and refrain from making pointless and upsetting comments Goldenwright.
Wonderful story Bill. If it were only true, you would probably win a prize.
Regrettablly, it is complete garbage, isn;t it? Apart from the fact that FireTeam attended, there is not a single shred of truth in that story. Hang your head and apologize to your readers.
monkeymoo
says...
2:19pm Sat 30 Jun 12
cazm1973 wrote:Just a question..(as you are a relative):
Goldenwight wrote: Wonderful story Bill. If it were only true, you would probably win a prize. Regrettablly, it is complete garbage, isn;t it? Apart from the fact that FireTeam attended, there is not a single shred of truth in that story. Hang your head and apologize to your readers.I am a relative of the people involved and was helping them clear out their flat yesterday. Apart from a few minor inconsistencies like the boy is 3 not 4yrs old, the story is accurate. It has been a very stressful and frightening event for all involved and the repercussions of losing their home and belongings are ongoing. Please have a little respect and refrain from making pointless and upsetting comments Goldenwright.
Do you think it was acceptable for the parents to go out to the pub for the night, leaving their 3 year old being looked after by a 15 year old girl and her boyfriend?
Ever heard of Madeleine McCann?
These parents should be VERY thankful they still have a 3 year old boy to cuddle. As you will know from seeing inside their flat, it was a severe fire.
clarence3021
says...
3:12pm Sat 30 Jun 12
I am the parent that left a very responsible 14 year old and her boy friend for a few hours while I went for a social outing which in most peoples judgement is very acceptable.
We are so lucky that our situation is not so much worse as it could of been but how can you say my judgement was unacceptable the fire would of been just as bad if we were there and as to your comment about the police being in the way they saved my child and my sister! did you see inside my flat? because you cant comment/slate something you clearly dont know anything about. we are going through such a traumatic time due to an ACCIDENT and would prefer not to see pointless comments
cazm1973
says...
3:22pm Sat 30 Jun 12
monkeymoo wrote:Madeleine McCann was left without a babysitter whilst the parents were very nearby. I don't consider that unacceptable, to be honest, but our situation is completely different to that of the MCanns anyway ! Why are you doing this ?
cazm1973 wrote:Just a question..(as you are a relative):
Goldenwight wrote: Wonderful story Bill. If it were only true, you would probably win a prize. Regrettablly, it is complete garbage, isn;t it? Apart from the fact that FireTeam attended, there is not a single shred of truth in that story. Hang your head and apologize to your readers.I am a relative of the people involved and was helping them clear out their flat yesterday. Apart from a few minor inconsistencies like the boy is 3 not 4yrs old, the story is accurate. It has been a very stressful and frightening event for all involved and the repercussions of losing their home and belongings are ongoing. Please have a little respect and refrain from making pointless and upsetting comments Goldenwright.
Do you think it was acceptable for the parents to go out to the pub for the night, leaving their 3 year old being looked after by a 15 year old girl and her boyfriend?
Ever heard of Madeleine McCann?
These parents should be VERY thankful they still have a 3 year old boy to cuddle. As you will know from seeing inside their flat, it was a severe fire.
cazm1973
says...
3:28pm Sat 30 Jun 12
clarence3021 wrote:Well said :)
to monkeymoo
I am the parent that left a very responsible 14 year old and her boy friend for a few hours while I went for a social outing which in most peoples judgement is very acceptable.
We are so lucky that our situation is not so much worse as it could of been but how can you say my judgement was unacceptable the fire would of been just as bad if we were there and as to your comment about the police being in the way they saved my child and my sister! did you see inside my flat? because you cant comment/slate something you clearly dont know anything about. we are going through such a traumatic time due to an ACCIDENT and would prefer not to see pointless comments
John Steed
says...
4:21pm Sat 30 Jun 12
cazm1973 wrote:"Madeleine McCann was left without a babysitter whilst the parents were very nearby. I don't consider that unacceptable, to be honest, but our situation is completely different to that of the MCanns anyway ! Why are you doing this ?"
monkeymoo wrote:Madeleine McCann was left without a babysitter whilst the parents were very nearby. I don't consider that unacceptable, to be honest, but our situation is completely different to that of the MCanns anyway ! Why are you doing this ?
cazm1973 wrote:Just a question..(as you are a relative):
Goldenwight wrote: Wonderful story Bill. If it were only true, you would probably win a prize. Regrettablly, it is complete garbage, isn;t it? Apart from the fact that FireTeam attended, there is not a single shred of truth in that story. Hang your head and apologize to your readers.I am a relative of the people involved and was helping them clear out their flat yesterday. Apart from a few minor inconsistencies like the boy is 3 not 4yrs old, the story is accurate. It has been a very stressful and frightening event for all involved and the repercussions of losing their home and belongings are ongoing. Please have a little respect and refrain from making pointless and upsetting comments Goldenwright.
Do you think it was acceptable for the parents to go out to the pub for the night, leaving their 3 year old being looked after by a 15 year old girl and her boyfriend?
Ever heard of Madeleine McCann?
These parents should be VERY thankful they still have a 3 year old boy to cuddle. As you will know from seeing inside their flat, it was a severe fire.
can of worms getting opened here, the mcanns were not very nearby, THREE young children were left alone, some would say abandoned whilst the parents were both enjoying a meal with friends at a resturant some 10 minutes walk away from their apartment that was completely unobservable from the resturant and in a foreign country to boot.
as father of 5 children i would point out that leaving a competant, known person, who is 14 years old to baby sit is not only completely acceptable but also completely legal, accidents can and do happen. internet trolls are not an accident just sad people who cannot put forward a reasonable or pertinant point, they are best ignored.
glad everybody was safe after such a traumatic experience.
clarence3021
says...
4:28pm Sat 30 Jun 12
monkeymoo
says...
5:10pm Sat 30 Jun 12
clarence3021 wrote:Firstly, I wish you all the best with getting through this traumatic time.
to monkeymoo I am the parent that left a very responsible 14 year old and her boy friend for a few hours while I went for a social outing which in most peoples judgement is very acceptable. We are so lucky that our situation is not so much worse as it could of been but how can you say my judgement was unacceptable the fire would of been just as bad if we were there and as to your comment about the police being in the way they saved my child and my sister! did you see inside my flat? because you cant comment/slate something you clearly dont know anything about. we are going through such a traumatic time due to an ACCIDENT and would prefer not to see pointless comments
I was simply asking a question, if you cannot read that, then that is NOT my fault. To reply to you though;
The 14 year old was responsible enough to leave a candle burning whilst being in a different room?...fair enough!
The Police DIDNT save your child.....The fire service did.
The Police were very nearly casualties as well.
Smoke alarms?
AmboGuy
says...
5:21pm Sat 30 Jun 12
MoronSpotter wrote:Ignore him. He's just a bitter tramp living in a cardboard box!
What are on about, Goldenwight? What's the truth, then?
Well done to all of those involved in the rescue.
cazm1973
says...
7:15pm Sat 30 Jun 12
Leon
says...
7:22pm Sat 30 Jun 12
Loser
bertrandrus
says...
9:22pm Sat 30 Jun 12
I recently had a fire in my home which turned out to be minor but it was very scary and very traumatic for my child. The fire brigade and paramedics were brilliant!!
People on here who want to just point fingers and be rude, a question for you 'Are you perfect? It really is like you cannot wait to get on here and have a go. Its silly and boring.
sara_b123
says...
12:10am Sun 1 Jul 12
The3Dees
says...
12:50am Sun 1 Jul 12
Best of luck to the family and remember to call on me should you need any help. You know who I am ;)
monkeymoo
says...
6:04am Sun 1 Jul 12
Leon wrote:If it was the other way around.... I wouldn't have left a 14 year old girl and her boyfriend in charge of my child.
I imagine if it was the other way round monkeymoo would be the first to shout out "WHY DID THE POLICE STAND AROUND DOING NOTHING FOR 5 MINUTES WHILST WAITING FOR THE FIRE SERVICE.... SURELY THEY COULD HAVE BROKEN THE DOOR DOWN OR SOMETHING!!!" Loser
What planet do you live on where you think that all their attention will be with looking after the little boy!?
The NSPCC even state that "although there is no legal age for a baby sitter, it is recommended that they are AT LEAST 16 years old"
http://www.eastsusse
x.gov.uk/childrenand
families/childcare/d
efault1.htm
By your comment about " breaking the door down" it is clear you know nothing about fire! Ever heard of "backdraft", and why it occurs?
Having been a firefighter in London for 20 years now (and good friends with some of the firefighters that were at THIS job), It is VERY LUCKY the little boy survived, and VERY LUCKY the police didn't make the situation worse.
I certainly would not expect ANYONE to battle into a house on fire that didn't have the right training, backup or equipment to do so. One lung full of "smoke" will kill.
Loser!
The Police need some training in this area.
monkeymoo
says...
6:25am Sun 1 Jul 12
I think the police do a fantastic job, that is made very difficult for them by the public and by their management.
I believe, and i'm sure i'm not alone, that the police need some sort of training in situations like this. Otherwise simply heroic actions can cause rapidly worsening conditions and lots more casualties will occur.
Well done to all the emergency services that worked well together that night to save the lives of 3 children.
sam666tm
says...
10:43am Sun 1 Jul 12
dragonfly20
says...
11:35am Sun 1 Jul 12
monkeymoo
says...
8:33am Mon 2 Jul 12
dragonfly20 wrote:If anyone can understand this...please translate!!
Lets put it this way you who where not there, don't know anything about what happened the paper has blown it out so much the two teenagers tried their best to get out and they are the ones who broke the window first not the fireman so how can you say that the fireman were the ones who did that when I was there I saw the whole thing as they are my friends and very good friends, so to those of you who think you where there don't make out that you know anything when you where not there so to their family we are here for you no matter what happens you are good people and don't let some shoddy person tell you other wise they don't know anything about you as a family!
Maybe this was written by the 3 year old boy? Sorry, a 3 year old would have better grammar!
So, just to clarify; the TWO windows that were broken, none of them were by the fire service? How did the little boy manage to break his bedroom window then, and "climb" down a ladder in a fireman's arms?
Guess you know nothing!!
cazm1973
says...
8:43am Mon 2 Jul 12
cazm1973
says...
9:08am Mon 2 Jul 12
cazm1973
says...
9:13am Mon 2 Jul 12
monkeymoo
says...
12:40pm Mon 2 Jul 12
cazm1973 wrote:I totally agree.
I would also like to add that the two teenagers involved whilst clearly horrified by the results of their uncharacteristic loss of concentration, are normally very sensible and responsible people. Whilst they were effectively trapped in the end bedroom, they considered leaving the bedroom to try and rescue the 3yr old boy but had the sense to realise that this could make things much worse for them and the boy and conentrated on attracting the attention of passers by and staying put. Having discussed their situation it seems this was not an easy decision to make as one of them was the sister of the little boy. Well done to them for not letting their emotions overcome their common sense under extreme duress.
The two young people at the front of the house remained very calm considering the situation.
Well done to them for that.
dragonfly20
says...
9:53pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Maybe this was written by the 3 year old boy? Sorry, a 3 year old would have better grammar!
So, just to clarify; the TWO windows that were broken, none of them were by the fire service? How did the little boy manage to break his bedroom window then, and "climb" down a ladder in a fireman's arms?
Guess you know nothing!!
You don't know anything monkeymoo you were not there so how do you know what happened they two teenagers were the ones who broke the window first. I am not a child I was there and I am the one who helped them get rescued from my flat which was directly under theirs, so you don't know what you are F****g talking about okay so get a life and let my friends grieve on their loss.
rdepass
says...
3:38am Sun 8 Jul 12
dragonfly2012 says...
5:51pm Fri 29 Jun 12