Firefighters rescue man from smoke-filled flat

At approximately 20:30 on Saturday evening, two fire appliances with nine firefighters from White Watch were mobilised by the Emergency Services Control Centre following reports of an alarm sounding and the smell of smoke in the corridors of a terraced property containing three flats in St Helier.

On arrival, firefighters were met by occupants with alarms actuating. Unable to gain entry through the front door, crews gained access via a ladder through a window, where they discovered one male casualty unconscious in a smoke-filled room. Firefighters rescued the casualty and immediately administered first aid until the arrival of paramedic colleagues, who took over care and transported the individual to hospital with concerns for smoke inhalation.

Meanwhile, firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished a small fire in the cooking area using a hose reel.

Watch Commander Richard Ryan said:

“This incident highlights several important safety messages. Firstly, access for fire appliances was made difficult due to vehicles parked in restricted areas - it’s vital that access routes are kept clear at all times so crews can reach emergencies without delay.

Secondly, having a working smoke alarm made a real difference here. It alerted the occupants and ensured a quick call to the Fire and Rescue Service, allowing us to reach the scene before the situation worsened.

Finally, this serves as a reminder of the dangers of leaving cooking unattended. Even a small fire can develop quickly and lead to serious smoke inhalation or damage.”

For further information on how to stay safe in your home, please visit the Government of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service webpage:

https://jerseyfire.je/your-safety/prevention/home-safety