Teenager escapes from house fire

Smoke from the kitchen fire quickly spread through open doors in the house. But thanks to the early warning given by the smoke alarm, the young teenager was able to escape with only mild smoke inhalation.

Having been asleep upstairs, the teenage boy first tried to call the emergency services using the property's cordless phone but found this didn't work as the house electrics had tripped out due to the fire.

He managed to evacuate to a neighbouring house where he then called 999. The message from the fire service rings clear - 'Get out, stay out and call the fire service out.'

The call came in at 9.02am this morning, and two fire appliances from Worthing Fire Station were mobilised to the house in Warren Road.

Crews arrived on scene within three minutes and found smoke pouring from the detached property. When it was established that everyone was out of the house, four breathing apparatus wearers entered the property to extinguish the fire.

The fire in the kitchen was extinguished using one high-pressure hose reel and the property ventilated using a Positive Pressure Fan. The kitchen was extensively damaged by fire, and the remainder of the house by smoke.

A three-year-old 'Labradoodle' dog called Dizzy was rescued by the crews.

Watch Commander Darren Wickings said: "Once again, working smoke alarms saved this occupier from serious injury. He had an early warning and quickly made his way to safety.

"We also wish to remind people about the importance of keeping doors closed within a building, particularly when people are asleep, as it will limit smoke travel and allow a safe escape route.

"And as this case proves, its always useful to have your mobile phone handy as electrics can trip causing house phones to fail."

The young occupier was uninjured besides mild smoke inhalation and he was given oxygen by the fire service before being checked over by the ambulance service.

It is believed the fire was caused by a faulty toaster and fire investigators are currently carrying out an investigation.