A bit shocked by what has happened tonight

[WibbleyPie]

I live in a flat on the first floor, there's a couple who lives in the flat below. No one above me. Large converted house. Separate entrances.

Was woken around midnight by my dog being unsettled and woofing, not full on barking, and as I started to wake up I could hear downstairs smoke alarm going off.
I went down and their door was open, smell of smoke and smoke visible coming out of the door, not billowing but enough to know there's a small fire and make me cough a bit. Neighbours are quite vulnerable and one bed bound.

Wasn't sure where the fire was or what it was, main aim was to help get neighbours out. Mobile neighbour not in best of health themselves and couldn't get bed bound neighbour off the bed. Was on phone to 999 at the same time, as neighbour hadn't called them. Went to help bed bound neighbour into wheelchair and realised it was the bed that was smouldering next to them, big hole burned through mattress and could see embers/smouldering, obviously a fair amount of smoke.
Other neighbour had poured water on it evidently and put it out to some degree. We got her out and into the wheelchair and as far as we could away from the fire, couldn't get outside because of steps and wheelchair. But we were by the door and I had a plan to use the bedding again to drag neighbour out of the building if I needed to.

I used to work in social care, and thank God for the fire training I've had because it kicked in tonight and I did what I'd been trained to do, back of the hand door test, used the duvet to move the neighbour off the bed and would have used it again to get them out if necessary. Closed doors behind us etc.

Fire service were very quick responding, considering they're retained and not at the station. They were fantastic, got wheelchair neighbour straight out, put bed out properly and removed everything. I'm so grateful to them, amazing people. Comforted us.

Bed bound neighbour gone to hospital, unhurt but I think have inhaled a fair amount of smoke.

I'm a bit shocked by it all, it was frightening enough for me, and I can move, my neighbour must have been terrified - but - they'd been left with cigarettes and lighter and been smoking in bed.

I think I'm in a bit of shock tbh. Live alone and feel really unsettled and not sure what to do with myself now. Hopefully that'll wear off.

Not sure really why I'm posting. Maybe I just needed to share what's happened tonight. It was a minor fire that was thankfully put out before it got going but it could have been so different, it was seconds away from going up completely I think, judging by the damage to the mattress.

Anyway, big shout out to our fabulous fire service!

Holy shitballs! Thank goodness for you! (And the Fireys). I hope adult social services realise that they are not safe and move them away from where they are now so that you don’t feel like you’re forever waiting for something like that to happen again.

Bloody hell OP that sounds terrifying. Hope you are ok. Also thank goodness for your dog waking you up like that. Give him a huge treat tomorrow. Hope you manage to get some rest tonight.

What a shock. I'd cuddle up in bed with hour dog and watch some familiar TV with a cuppa.

Well done to you tonight!

That must have been very scary for you all. Thank goodness your dog woke you up.
Hopefully you can get some rest now.
Sounds like your neighbours need some extra support from somewhere in future. Particularly as they hadn’t thought to call for help from anywhere. Perhaps the fire brigade might refer to social services or something like that? I may be clutching at straws here.

Thank goodness for your training and instincts though. You’ve been a heroine tonight.

Well done to you and your neighbour's quick responses.

Let the adrenaline run its course now, drink tea, cuddle dog, whatever. Your body will have a physical reaction to go through so don't fight it, you have had a big shock.

Be proud, you stopped a potential disaster from happening.

Thank you for your responses, I think I just needed to get it out as there's no one here, help the adrenaline settle.
The dog that woke me up has had a big fuss and treat, she's very unsettled as well probably feeding from me and because of all the disruption. I wonder if she sensed something was wrong or could smell the smoke and hear the alarm and that is what made her unsettled and start to woof, whatever it was I'm grateful to her, unfortunately the other little bugger took advantage of the situation to raid the bin 🙄 nothing of harm in there as not long been emptied thankfully.

I think the fire service are going to make a referral, they are concerned for their safety and mine with being above them. I really hope they get some help, I don't know them that well but the fire officer has my details as my input might lend weight to their concerns.

I don't remember making conscious decisions, I just acted, I guess that's the whole point of training. It worked at least for me tonight.

OP, what a fantastic job you did. Thank goodness for people like you. Well done x

Are you sure you haven't suffered any smoke inhalation in the process too that should be checked over?

They’re lucky to have you as a neighbour. Well done to you and your dog.

Well done OP, you did all the right things and your actions really made a difference. Well done your dog and the fire service too. (Not well done to the bin dog but good to see they are resourceful too 🤣)

You have had a real shock. Have a hot drink and something sweet, keep warm try and let the adrenaline run its course. Can you stay at home this morning? Maybe have a chat to a friend later today. But for now just look after yourself

The paramedics checked me over and were happy but gave advice obviously to call 999 if I get short of breath or other symptoms.
I've had a shower and binned my PJ's and jacket because they stank, it was an acrid, bitter smoke, I could taste it. But I had pulled my jacket over my face, and I wasn't in there long really, and I feel fine breathing wise/physically.
But thank you.

How terrifying for you all. I'm glad everyone is OK. Well done for doing what you did, you big ole hero! 👏

BUT, I'd be so pissed off that it was smoking in bed that caused it. So effing dangerous. She put every single person in that building, and the firefighters at risk. She's old enough to know that smoking in bed is a big no-no.

Hopefully, she'll be put into care now, and won't be able to smoke in the entire building, let alone bed.

How scary for you but it sounds like you did everything exactly right. You should be very proud of yourself as you almost certainly saved a life or at least serious injury tonight. You almost certainly won’t sleep as your adrenaline levels will be through the roof. Cuddle up with the very clever dog and have a hot cup of tea and just chill in front of the tv. You may well be tearful tomorrow when you have settled down. This is totally normal. Be kind to yourself over the weekend and give yourself and your dog a pat on the back. Sending you virtual hugs

Gosh that's very scary, thank goodness your lovely dog woke you , sounds like you handled it all so well.

You could do with a stiff drink for the shock. Our dog found a woman slumped on the floor in our local woods, she’d taken a near fatal overdose. I managed to get her to hospital just in time, she was put into an induced coma, fortunately she survived and her unborn baby did as well. The aftermath and shock of what had happened kept us up most of the night, hence the stiff drinks, we were sat up in bed with a whiskey each perplexed at the day we’d had. She messaged us this week thanking us for saving her life 7 years ago, it still sends shivers down my spine. She was assessed and it transpired she was suffering from a manic episode as she had undiagnosed bipolar. Even now when we’re in the woods I look at the spot where she was, luck was on her side that my nosey Labrador found her as we don’t usually venture to that part.

@MrsJHernandez

I honestly don't think either of them are aware of the danger they were in tonight, bed bound neighbour was quite out of it, I'm not even sure she was aware of what was happening and mobile neighbour has some learning disabilities I think, I don't really know them that well but I know she's been unwell for a couple of years now and he's got a very simplified view of the world. The fire officer was concerned he didn't understand the severity of the incident tonight. They both smoke.

Confession time that I'm a smoker too, however I've never smoked in the house, and certainly never would in bed. So I get the addiction all too well, but it's incredibly dangerous as I've seen tonight, I just don't think either of them can understand the severity of the situation tonight.

@Snippit
Goodness me, that sounds like a hell of an evening and thank goodness your dog is nosy and you were able to help that lady and there was a happy ending.

I understand the feelings you describe though, I keep replaying it, I am worried I hurt her when I moved her. The fire officers and paramedics said I had no choice, which I didn't, but she was resisting and I just hope I haven't hurt her in the process.
Strange feelings.

Goodness. You poor thing. You will likely be in shock for a few days, I suspect. At the moment the adrenaline is still running through. If you have nobody to be with tomorrow I suggest after a long sleep (if you are able) have long soak in the bath, if you have one and do nice things for you.

I am sure you did not hurt her but even if you did you probably saved her life so a few scratches or bruises is well worth it. You did very well

I think you need to put this on blast for them @WibbleyPie

They certainly are strange feelings, I’m with you there. You’ve most likely saved her life and many others in the building.

We initially called for an ambulance, but at the time she was semi conscious so she wasn’t classed as an emergency 😳. An hour later and still no sign of them, my husband chased it up and for some reason they’d cancelled the request. I then ran home to get the car to take her to our nearest hospital, it was awful. I was driving like a demented woman, didn’t give a shit about speed cameras, encouraging her to stay awake, it was scary. I pulled up outside A&E and started shouting for help.

We keep in touch and occasionally go out for lunch with her and her daughter. We’ve met her family who are all lovely and so grateful. We also retrieved her car from nearby as she’d requested us to before losing consciousness, and discovered her suicide note, that was so sad, I couldn’t stop crying.

You’ll be discombobulated for a few days, thinking did that really happen. We’ll done you for doing what you did, give your lovely dog a big old cuddle, where would we be without them 🤗

I work for the London Underground, and have done for many years. I've been involved in one terrorist attack and two persons under trains. All have been awful, and though my job has hardened me to many things, these kinds of incidents always knock me sideways for a few days.

It's completely normal to react this way, because these are not normal, everyday events, and you have to think quickly and draw skills you never thought you had to help deal with the situation. My employers always give out special leave after extraordinary events to allow us to decompress and start to make sense of it. I hope you are ok now, and you will feel better in a few days. I hope you have people you can talk to, like friends & family.

Also your dog deserves a medal! 🎖️

So sorry you went through that, OP! Glad everything is OK. You definitely need something hot and sweet to eat or drink. I would call your GP in the morning about smoke inhalation. It can damage the lungs and who knows, maybe there's a magic pill to ensure there's no damage or something. You never know. They might also tell you to do some breathing exercises to help air out your lungs. My friend had to do them when she was in hospital and they thought pneumonia was starting.

Or instead of your GP, maybe call 111 and ask their advice. I really would ask the question. Can't be too careful with lungs. They may want to do a blood gas test to measure the amount of oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and acid in your blood

I would also get yourself an air purifier, definitely. There will probably be particles in the air in your flat.

As for the smoking in bed, I'm speechless. I thought that had gone out in the Seventies! Someone round here died from smoking in bed a few years ago. In the UK I think there was an advertising campaign against smoking in bed back in the eighties. Seems like we need another one. It's SO dangerous.

Bloody well done op. You are my hero tonight. so scary for you though. Hope you do manage to settle yourself down soon and get Some rest.

I did laugh at your dogs. One the hero, waking you up, one raiding the bin. 😂

Well done indeed OP!

Going forward I'd be concerned for your future safety if this couple return to the flat.

Is it rented? If so can the LL install extra smoke and heat alarms? Are fire doors all up to standard?

If people want to risk their own lives by smoking in bed, fine, but your life is also imperilled by their stupidity and that's not fine.

Please give your ddog a pat and scratch behind the ears from me 😚