Pair jump from windows as major fire breaks out in Black Country flats
A man and a woman jumped from windows when a serious fire broke out at a block of flats in the Black Country.
More than 20 firefighters, who were not taking part in a national strike underway at the time, were called to the blaze at Lissimore Drive amid reports that a woman was still inside the building.
The fire spread to one neighbouring flat and to a roof void, leading to part of the roof collapsing.
West Midlands Fire Service said: "A man believed to be in his 30s and a woman both jumped from windows of the third and top storey flat before we arrived. Both were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital by ambulance. He had suspected leg injuries and she was thought to be suffering from the effects of breathing in smoke and other injuries."
It happened at around 11.30pm last night, around 30 minutes in to a one-hour national strike by firefighters.
West Midlands Fire Service, who received more than a dozen calls about the blaze, said the five fire engines called to the scene were manned by non-striking staff.
Area Commander Simon Shilton (Emergency Response) of WMFS said: "This was a serious fire in a low-rise block of flats, which had the potential to be a great deal worse.
"It happened half-way through the latest one-hour strike by firefighters. However, our contingency plans were in place which meant that we were able to send five fire crews and one of our hydraulic platforms to the scene. They quickly put in place assertive tactics to deal with the fire safely and effectively.
"At the end of the strike, when our night crews returned to duty across the brigade at midnight, a number attended the scene to support our contingency arrangements.
"The fire affected all of the flat in which it started. Our expert fire investigators will be looking into what caused it."
