Pensioner recalls "flames touching the ceiling"

A pensioner has recalled the moment he was confronted by flames touching the ceiling in a fire at a Kingussie sheltered housing complex.

Mr Matthew Richmond said he was involved in helping to get his neighbour 95 year old Nan Gibson to safety after the fire broke out in her flat at Glebe Court in the town.

The fire is understood to have started after old birthday cards which had been put on an electric heater in Ms Gibson’s lounge caught alight at around 7.10pm on Friday. Fortunately, the smoke detector in her flat was working and helped raise the alarm.

Mr Richmond said: "The smoke was too thick to stay in the room for very long and the flames from the electric fire were touching the ceiling. It was really hot."

After Ms Gibson had been taken from the room, Mr Richmond said he returned to try and put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher. However, he said it was too heavy for him to use and he also had second thoughts because of the electric fire.

Ms Gibson and another neighbour named by the fire brigade as Mr McBain – his first name is thought to be Fakkie – had to be treated for smoke inhalation by ambulance crew.

Around 25 residents at the Hanover Housing complex had to be evacuated from the sheltered housing after the fire broke out.

Firefighters from Aviemore and Kingussie, wearing breathing apparatus, tackled the blaze which had taken hold in the flat by the time they arrived.

Mr Ross Nixon, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service station manager for Badenoch and Strathspey, said that Ms Gibson had had a lucky escape.

He also praised Mr McBain for his actions.

Mr Nixon said: "The fire had spread quickly to the carpet and other furnishings. The firefighters did a very good job. The corridor was heavily smoke-logged.

"The action of the lady’s neighbour and the firefighters in managing to contain the blaze quickly prevented a much more serious incident, given the nature of the complex."

The two crews were at the scene for just over two hours before standing down.

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "I ignored the alarm at first because it sometimes goes off if someone has a frying pan on. The doors are fireproof, so smoke can’t come into your bedroom or flat.

"Some more alarms went off, and I thought then I had better shut my television off.

"I peeped out of the door and there was all this black smoke coming up the corridor, and not a soul about.

"You are supposed to stay in your flat and close the door so that the smoke won’t get in. There was no one else about, and I thought, ‘I had better get out of here’."

She went on: "Two firefighters came round and asked me which flat I was in, and told me I could not go back in.

"The firemen were absolutely fantastic. They kept the fire to that one flat. We are not being allowed inside, so I can’t say how badly damaged it is.

"One of the firemen helped me back when we got the all-clear because I didn’t have my walker. They went into the flat with me to see that I was all right.

Ms Gibson is understood to have been moved to the Meallmore care home at Daviot in the meantime.

The warden at the complex would not comment and the operators of the complex did not return a call by the ‘Strathy’.

The fire brigade provides free home safety visits, and anyone wishing one can contact them on 08000 121312 or Mr Nixon directly on (01479) 811410.

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