Smoke alarm helps woman escape blaze

The 75-year-old lady was given oxygen for smoke inhalation following the fire which broke out on the ground floor at Avonmore Park at 10.30am.

Fire-fighters wearing breathing apparatus led the lady to safety and extinguished the blaze using two main jets. A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said there were smoke alarms fitted to the property which alerted the occupier and her neighbour to the fire.

Two appliances were called from Lisburn Fire Station.

A spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Service said that it was an accidental blaze.

And they said the lady’s safe escape was a further demonstration of the importance of having working smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms can give you a precious few minutes of warning that can help you and your family to get out safely – they alert you to the earliest stage of a fire and give you vital time to escape” they said.

“Fit a smoke alarm on every floor of your home, in hallways or landings. Test your smoke alarm once a week and make sure it is working.”

The Fire Service say that smoke alarms are vital, can cost just around £5 and are simple to install. They are widely available from DIY, hardware, electrical shops and some supermarkets.

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