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Original poster

A bit shocked by what has happened tonight

157 replies

WibbleyPie · 25/01/2025 03:25

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!

OP posts:
FarmGirl78 · 25/01/2025 06:14

I put a fire out in my Neighbours house when they phoned from the airport to say they think they'd left a pizza in the oven. (🙄) Only a small fire as it was luckily contained within the oven, but the smoke really really hurt my lungs. After the urgency of everything was gone I had to chance to assess myself and didn't think it warranted hospital but man it hurt! Just keep drinking plenty water, and take honey or aloe gel to soothe your throat. Please do go to hospital is you're struggling with your breathing. I was bad for a good couple of days afterwards.

ThatFluentTiger · 25/01/2025 06:24

What a scary experience OP, but your response is amazing.
I had this happen with my neighbour in almost identical circumstances a couple of years ago, it was the catalyst for them getting more support.
Is it a HA property? My neighbour wasn’t allowed to return to their property after the fire, due to damage and safety I guess, and ultimately was moved elsewhere.

Mumdiva99 · 25/01/2025 06:25

Well done you and your dog.

No matter if you hurt the person if you saved them. Better hurt than dead.

The paramedics would have taken you into hospital if they were in any way concerned about the smoke. (I don't think you need to phone 111 or doctor - unless as the paramedics said you get worse).

You should feel proud of yourself.

ApolloandDaphne · 25/01/2025 06:35

Well done for your quick thinking and well done to your dog for alerting you.

nzeire · 25/01/2025 06:37

You are an Absolute hero, well done
i got the shivers reading that

froggybiby · 25/01/2025 06:41

Well done to you and your dog. You did the right thing moving her. You had no
choice. You can be proud of yourself. Be kind to yourself. I do hope your neighbours get the help they need.

Lightswitchup · 25/01/2025 06:46

Well done OP you have been brave and calm. Both fire service and hospital should refer them. No guarantee they will accept help of course. They can have things like fire retardant bed sheets and sand buckets. You could also refer them of course on Monday as you probably have info/observations which could be useful to social services.

Flopsy145 · 25/01/2025 06:49

Wow amazing job from you, you sounded like you handled that perfectly. You will be feeling wired for a while I imagine with the adrenaline. Totally understandable. Your neighbours must feel.so grateful to have such a competent and caring person living by them. Just take it easy today, talk it through with people and treat yourself to some rest and relaxation ❤️
Edit to add, big well done to the dog as well!

Gremlins101 · 25/01/2025 06:53

What a terrifying experience! I hope your neighbours gets help so you aren't worried about future cigarette-in-bed fires in the future. Well done OP

ZeppelinTits · 25/01/2025 06:55

Just to add - there's evidence that if you play Tetris as soon as possible after a traumatic event, it helps you avoid getting PTSD. It sort of files the memories where they need to go, a bit like EMDR therapy. worth a go?

Well done for responding so well. You did great Flowers

BrendaSmall · 25/01/2025 07:00

I still remember my neighbours house fire from when I was a child!
My dad was a fireman, unfortunately it was too bad for my dad to try to tackle without help, So 999 was called, before my dads bleeper went off he was already at the station because he knew about it!!
Retained firefighters must live no further than 5 minutes away from their local fire station for a very good reason!

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 25/01/2025 07:06

Your dog is a hero and deserves a treat today!

musicalfrog · 25/01/2025 07:08

Well done OP. Good job done well there. Hope you're getting some well deserved rest.

To everyone bemoaning the smoking in bed... well bedbound neighbour presumably has no choice, no matter how dangerous it is, and has probably been doing it for years. Hopefully they will get help to quit now, certainly some kind of intervention is necessary.

LookItsMeAgain · 25/01/2025 07:10

You're the kind of neighbour that we all aspire to having. Well done you @WibbleyPie . I hope the adrenaline has worn off now and you're back resting (if not sleeping a bit).

Well done to you and to your very very clever and astute dog! Please can we get a photo of the brave and clever pooch so that they can get the plaudits they deserve too?

BilboBlaggin · 25/01/2025 07:10

I think as well as the shock from what happened, you have the fear of what could have happened if you hadn't been woken and the fire had taken hold. Well done to doggo for woofing and to you for taking control of the situation.

I'd be very concerned if they came back to live there, as they may continue smoking.

nebular · 25/01/2025 07:11

OP and OP dog how amazing you both were in a really tricky situation.
I work in social care and felt a bit proud when you said about your training and obviously working out how to move the person safely. It really isn't an unskilled job and one that can quite literally (in this case) be the difference between life and death.

Musntapplecrumble · 25/01/2025 07:14

Shout out to you too, WibbleyPie!!
Well done and hats off to dog as well 👏Flowers

CaptainMyCaptain · 25/01/2025 07:21

Well done OP and OP's dog. 👏

Lilactimes · 25/01/2025 07:27

WibbleyPie · 25/01/2025 03:25

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!

Well done to you too - so brave of you to go in and do what you did. You’ve saved a life tonight. You should feel hugely proud. I hope you have friends or family you can get a hug from and celebrate with 👏👏👏👏

Round123 · 25/01/2025 07:35

Blimey hope you’re ok
had a situation similar with our downstairs elderly neighbour's leaving a pan of fat on the hob with a synthetic tea towel resting nearby. My husband ran downstairs, shouldered the door open and extinguished the fire. Neighbour was chilling on her balcony!!!
gives me the creeps thinking about it. The smell was horrific.

Welshwhales · 25/01/2025 07:38

Wow, you should be so proud of yourself . What a shock, the elderly couple are obviously not safe to return to their home now .

LuluBlakey1 · 25/01/2025 07:40

Your dog was amazing and so were you.

Beaverbridge · 25/01/2025 07:40

Well done you and doggie. Your training paid off. Not a lot of people would react in such a positive manner. 💐💐💐.

BeNavyCrab · 25/01/2025 07:44

As someone who is bed bound, this is my absolute nightmare. It does play on my mind that I can't get out if an emergency situation like this happened. I don't smoke but I do have to use prescription moisturising cream that states it makes the skin and bedding flammable. You are a wonderful hero and if I was the person who was saved I wouldn't care about any bruises!
🫂

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 25/01/2025 07:47

I have a dog that barks at smoke alarms. Annoying as it is when it is just burnt toast we haven’t trained him out of it as it could be really useful one day.

You will probably have a very wobbly day either today or tomorrow and your brain will play over it a lot. Remember you did your best at the time, everyone is now safe and the house is still standing.