Wolverhampton house left severely damaged and pets rescued after fire which destroyed roof and left three people needing hospital treatment
A house in Wolverhampton was left severely damaged, four pets were rescued and three people were taken to hospital following a severe fire at a house.
Four fire crews from Dudley, Wolverhampton, Oldbury and Tettenhall were called to reports of a fire on Blakeley Avenue in the Claregate area of Wolverhampton on Tuesday afternoon.
Three fire engines, a 4x4 brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform responded and found a fire in a two-storey house which had caused extensive damage to the first floor and roof and also affected the roof of the house next door.
The fire crews used breathing apparatus to enter the house, with the hydraulic aerial platform also being used, while eight people were evacuated from the house and one from the neighbouring house, as well as a dog and three cats also being rescued.
Three people were taken to hospital for further treatment for smoke inhalation, while the house was boarded up by a structural engineer.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Shortly before 3.10pm on Tuesday 24 June, we responded to Blakeley Avenue in Wolverhampton.
"Three fire engines, a 4x4 brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform responded, crewed by firefighters from Dudley, Wolverhampton, Oldbury and Tettenhall.
"This was a fire in a two-storey house, causing extensive fire damage to the first floor and roof. Damage was also sustained to the roof of a property next door.
"Ten firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish the fire. They were supported by firefighters utilising the hydraulic aerial platform and drone operations.
"Eight people had safely evacuated the affected property before our arrival, along with one person from a neighbouring home.
"It’s believed three people were conveyed to hospital for further treatment for smoke inhalation.
"A dog and three cats were also rescued by firefighters from the fire.
"A structural engineer attended the scene and worked with representatives from Wolverhampton Council who boarded the property and installed a perimeter fence, due to the extent of the damage.
"Crews returned for two overnight revisits, confirming no hotspots remained."
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 3.19pm on Tuesday to a fire at a property on Blakeley Avenue in Wolverhampton.
"Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics attended the scene.
"Upon arrival we found a man and a child who were assessed by ambulance staff at the scene.
"Both were conveyed to New Cross Hospital for further assessment.”
