Blaze wrecks man's home (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Blaze wrecks man's home

Mick Pope's flat after the blaze Picture Ref: 99260-22A MAN'S home has been gutted after fire broke out in his bedroom.

Mick Pope, who is in his 50s and lives alone, raced downstairs from his first floor flat in Akers Way when the fire started to try to raise the alarm with his neighbours.

As reported in yesterday's late edition of the Adver, Martin Joyce, 52, a Swindon Council groundsman quickly dialled 999 and stood outside with Mr Pope before he was taken to the Great Western Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Mr Joyce is now clearing up his own flat after water from the fire crews hoses gushed through the ceiling into his bedroom. "I was fast asleep. I didn't hear or smell anything," said Mr Joyce.

"Then Mickey woke me up knocking on my front door. He was terrified.

"I phoned for the fire brigade and ran around to some of the neighbours to say the flat was on fire."

The fire started at 3am yesterday. Since moving into the flat about a year ago, Mr Pope became friends with Mr Joyce, who has lived at Akers Way for 13 years.

"We stood in the garden together and waited for the fire brigade to come," said Mr Joyce. "After about five minutes they got here and started to put the fire out."

Mr Pope released from hospital before lunchtime.

"The thing is, in these flats you only hear your own smoke alarm," said Mr Joyce.

"So I didn't hear Mickey's going off. I didn't know the flat was on fire until he got me up out of bed."

The inside of Mr Pope's flat has been ruined by the flames and he will not be able to return until the damage has been repaired.

Swindon Council spokeswoman Hellen Barnes said that a housing officer visited the property yesterday and confirmed the damage was extensive.

"As soon as Mr Pope feels ready to discuss his housing options, we will be looking at these and can offer him alternative accommodation while the property is being put right if this is what he wants," she said.

"We understand that he is living with his son at the moment.

"With regard to the property underneath, the damage here was superficial and we have engineers out to work on the electrics.

"There is also some damage to the ceiling that will need some work. However, the tenant is happy to remain there while this is carried out."

Alan Hayward, station officer at Swindon, is investigating the cause of the blaze.

Stephanie Tye