Five rescued from flats fire
Five people had to be rescued when fire broke out at a block of flats in the Black Country today.
Firefighters pulled the trapped residents from windows at the two-storey flats in Parklands Road, Darlaston, at about 4.15am as the blaze spread from the bin area at the front of the properties.
Police, ambulances and fire crews from Wednesbury, Willenhall and Walsall were called to the blaze at the Accord Housing Association block.
Cashier Janice Nixon, aged 48, whose first floor flat was the worst damaged, said she woke up at about 4am to the sound of cracking and the smell of smoke. She said: "There were flames outside the door. I was just shouting because I knew that I had to get out. I was screaming to get my dog and cat out."
She added: "I dread to think what the damage is. All that matters is that we are all out now, animals included."
Nine of the residents were given a precautionary check by paramedics. Police also evacuated a further 14 people from nearby flats.
