EVERYONE ONE OOPLE PLEASE READ THIS THREAD

[shanks]

Just a friendly word of warning to everyone on here.

Yesterday i got a call to say my parents house was on fire (mum was out dad was in and got out ok)

Turns out he was in the house and smelt smoke, realised it was coming from the integral garage.

He opened the door to be greated with what he describes as total black, obviously smoke...thinking it must be a samll fire he went out side grabbed the hosepipe and came back to try and put it out, by this time its getting worse...

He quickly realised putting it out wasnt happening so rang fire brigade - he had to get onto the floor to be able to breath clean air at this point..

As it happened just at this time a pal of mine (MattB on oople) was driving past on the way home. He stopped seeing the smoke and went into the house finding my dad on the phone lied down on the floor, after checking he was ok Matt tried putting the fire it with the pipe but obviously it just wasnt possible so they both got out quick...

Here's what happened after 30 minutes or so






At the moment the fire brigade arent sure what caused the fire though they suggested it could have been the drying machine or wahing machine - neither of which were running and both were in very good condition i.e. not old and were well looked after (mother cleans the fluff from the dryer weekly) - as i say firmen were not able to say what the exact cause was.

Firman said it does happen and that appliances that are left plugged in can fault and go up in flames.

Apparently Plasma TV's and ladys hair curlers are one of the main causes.

The moral of the story is this:-

Go round yr house and turn everything off at the plug socket (ok fridge/freezer has to stay on) its just not worth the risk of leaving stuff on.

My 4yr old nearly stayed at their house on Sunday night and as the frieman said if the fire had happened at night there would have been very little chance of anyone getting out alive (inhalation of smoke can kill you instantly - when its hot it fuses your lungs together)

Another thought is next door got badly affected by migrating smoke (semi-detached bubgalows) to the point where their house was full of thick black smoke.......and none of their brand new mains suppied smoke alarms went off !!!!!!

In short if there is a fire at home get out as fast as possible, a few seconds can be the difference between being able to get out and not having a choice in the matter.

Finnally thanks to MattB for going in and helping - i owe you a big drink pal

[CHEVY]

I hope everyone is ok pass on my best wishes

[shanks]

Yep everyone is all ok and thanks

Just wanted to spread it around really to help stop it happening elsewhere

Turn everything off at the socket (or just un-plug it)

When you look at the damage it caused up-stairs (no fire reached there) the heat has melted lots of items, it obvious that if you had tried walking from one room to the next you would have been dead the instant you breathed in - not a nice thought..

[jameswilkinson7]

Sorry to hear about that Shanks. I'm glad no one was hurt.. It does make you think about how many things in the house are left plugged in, and potentially could cause a fire.

[shanks]

Originally Posted by jameswilkinson7

Sorry to hear about that Shanks. I'm glad no one was hurt.. It does make you think about how many things in the house are left plugged in, and potentially could cause a fire.

Exactly James

I had a go at the Mrs cause i realsied she had left her pc on the other day as we were going out...

Fireman i spoke to said he threw his Mrs hair curlers out of the bedroom window the other month as she had left them on as they were going out..

Scary thing is the speed from my dad spotting the fire till it was too late to do anything - and he was in the house awake at the time!

[i4n]

I keep getting told I'm paranoid about turning things off at the wall (and unplugging too when I can). Things like this hit home what can happen when they do go wrong. I'm certain to become even more paranoid now.

Glad everyone's alright mate, as 'they' say things can always be replaced.

And as for the speed of it taking hold; I remember the posters in my school when I was younger - Get Out, Get the Fire Brigade Out, Stay Out. I can see why now.

[mattb]

Finnally thanks to MattB for going in and helping - i owe you a big drink pal no probs mate i was just gutted i couldent put it out it was like pissing on an inferno the hose pipe just wouldent touch it hope pete and jean get sorted out pal just make sure you tell your mum while shes staying with you,your house is not a hotel lol

[johnnygibbon]

Originally Posted by mattb

Finnally thanks to MattB for going in and helping - i owe you a big drink pal no probs mate i was just gutted i couldent put it out it was like pissing on an inferno the hose pipe just wouldent touch it hope pete and jean get sorted out pal just make sure you tell your mum while shes staying with you,your house is not a hotel lol

matt your quick reactions aint just usefull on the track. good work pal
shanks- you got me scared
my house electrics are 50 to 60 years old. no joke

[shanks]

Originally Posted by mattb

Finnally thanks to MattB for going in and helping - i owe you a big drink pal no probs mate i was just gutted i couldent put it out it was like pissing on an inferno the hose pipe just wouldent touch it hope pete and jean get sorted out pal just make sure you tell your mum while shes staying with you,your house is not a hotel lol

Yep im going to give em some stick (theyre at tims at the moment but might be moving into ours - hope so cause my mums like a one woman cleaning, ironing and tyding machine!)

cheers again pal

[shanks]

Originally Posted by i4n

I keep getting told I'm paranoid about turning things off at the wall (and unplugging too when I can). Things like this hit home what can happen when they do go wrong. I'm certain to become even more paranoid now.

Glad everyone's alright mate, as 'they' say things can always be replaced.

And as for the speed of it taking hold; I remember the posters in my school when I was younger - Get Out, Get the Fire Brigade Out, Stay Out. I can see why now.

Yes pal things do hit home when its so close to home

Parents are very carefule people so its not like they left the chip pan on

Yr dead right thats exactly what the fireman said - seconds make the diffrence in the smoke which you may breath in and which may kills you there and then (he also said you may breath it in, get out only to die a few days after)