40 firefighters tackle flats inferno

A MAN has been left with a broken ankle and serious burns after a house fire in Paignton in which five dogs were killed.

The 29-year-old had been asleep in his flat, one of four in a converted farm house, in Middle Blagdon Lane, when the fire broke out at 5pm on Saturday.

The man is understood to have jumped out the window to escape the fire which gutted two of the flats.

Six pumps from Paignton, Brixham and Totnes, a water bowser from Torquay, the command centre from Buckfastleigh and up to 40 firefighters were called to the Old Barn House, off Blagdon Lane.

The Bronto from Torquay was also sent to assist but was turned away because of the narrowness of the lane and difficulty to access the property.

Police cordoned off Blagdon Road at the junction with Totnes Road to allow fire pumps easier access to the blaze along the narrow country lanes.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using water from hosereel jets had to stand on ladders and climb onto the tile roof of the 25 metres by 17 metres building to try to bring the blaze under control.

The tile roof of the two flats gutted by the inferno later collapsed.

At times, flames 20ft high could been seen shooting up from the property from across fields and a pall of acrid grey smoke could be seen from a distance.

Speaking at the scene, incident commander Tony Jones, from Torquay fire station, said the fire spread from the original flat to the neighbouring flat, but his crews managed to stop the flames from reaching the two flats at the back of the converted barn.

He said the 40 firefighters were relayed throughout the night by fresh crews as they came on shift.

It is understood the fire was brought under control after more than five hours.

Commander Jones said it was likely the blaze started accidently because of a possible faulty electric fire.

He said a full investigation had been launched to determine the exact cause.

Commander Jones said: "There are four flats, one in each corner of the property. The fire started in one and spread to the other flat at the front of the building.

"When we arrived we found one man who had made his own escape from the burning flat. He was suffering from severe burns and from smoke inhalation and was taken to Torbay Hospital for treatment.

"We understand he had several dogs and five of them died in the fire. We were concerned with making sure that all the occupants of the flats were out."

Commander Jones said two of the flats were empty.

However one lady living in the flat situated at the back of the property in which the fire started, had to be evacuated.

Sheena Hurd, 53, a mature history student at South Devon College, had been writing an essay on Mary I and Edward VI, when she heard her neighbour shouting.

Speaking at the scene she said: "He had to jump out the window because of the fire. It started when he was sleeping. I was writing an essay at the time. It was doing well. Now I'll have to postpone it.

"I'm glad I'm safe even though I'll have to find an emergency accommodation because I won't be allowed in for a while."

Mrs Hurd said her neighbour was known as Stewart but she didn't know the extent of his injuries.

She added: "I'm concerned for his safety. I know he's gone to hospital but I hope he's OK."

The owner of the property, who is understood to be living in a neighbouring house, said it was the first time in 30 years any incident of this magnitude had happened there.

Two pumps from Paignton returned to the property on Sunday morning to assess the damage and make the house safe.