Woman jumps five stories to escape Brighton flat fire (From The Argus)

Woman jumps five stories to escape Brighton flat fire

9:30am Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

A woman was fighting for her life last night after leaping five stories from her blazing Brighton flat.

The 49-year-old leapt from her fifth storey flat into the street as the fire took hold.

She landed on the ground below and was taken by ambulance to Royal Sussex County Hospital where she remained in a critical condition as The Argus went to press.

It is believed the woman’s dog, described as looking like a white Alsatian, was trapped in its owner’s fire-logged flat in the Highleigh block, off Grove Hill, Brighton, and was rescued by firefighters who were hoisted up to the flat in an aerial ladder.

The 12-storey block of flats was evacuated following the blaze at 11.25am on Saturday.

Roads in the area, which connects Hanover and Kemp Town, were closed to traffic as firefighters from across the city battled the blaze.

Neighbours spoke of their shock following the incident which witnesses said gutted the woman’s home.

One man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “It is shocking.

“She is very quiet and keeps herself to herself. I think she has got a son. I was told by a firefighter after the fire took hold she got scared and jumped out her window.

“I think the fire was in her bedroom and there was no way out. It is a long way down.”

Another said: “My neighbour banged on my door and said there was smoke and I immediately got my children out.”

The woman’s home was boarded up yesterday, windows were blackened and the smell of smoke filled the whole block.

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said crews from Preston Circus, Hove and Roedean attended the fire and six breathing apparatus and the aerial ladder platform were used.

She said: “An adult woman was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Fire investigators attended the scene with the police.”

She added the dog was in the care of the RSPCA.