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Search forHeroic rescue after explosion drama
Monday, August 25, 2008, 11:03
Quick-thinking Ray Connor and Paul Kendrick smashed their way into 70-year-old Maureen Dodd's first-floor flat after a fireball blew windows open and left her unconscious in her lounge.
Following failed attempts at pulling her from the burning room, they scaled a ladder and doused flames with extinguishers and a watering can while teetering from the rungs.
Their courage, followed by a police officer who also tried to enter the property, helped fire crews save vital seconds.
The drama unfolded just after noon on Saturday at Eveleigh Leat, a building split into four flats, just off Doctors Road.
Ms Dodd lives in a flat above Mr Connor and Mr Kendrick lives opposite her in the same building.
Mr Connor, 55, said: "I heard her smoke alarm going — which is not unusual — but came out of my flat, looked up and saw smoke coming from her lounge window.
"I saw an explosion that was enough to blow the lounge windows open and make the chimney breast shake.
"I ran around to the back of the house shouting for Paul who was there working on his push-bikes."
They ran into the property and opened the letter box of Ms Dodd's flat.
Mr Kendrick said: "I could feel the heat immediately. I was shouting to her 'Mo, Mo, can you hear me? Come to me' but there was no answer.
"Her lounge door, a fire door, was shut."
Armed with a hammer Mr Kendrick, 43, bashed in the glass on her glass-paned door, shattering the bottom pane.
He made three unsuccessful attempts to reach her but was driven back by thick toxic smoke and heat.
He said: "The smoke was so thick. Ray, who was behind me outside, said that he could not see me.
"The smoke was acrid. I had to keep coming out to get some fresh air. I was on my hands and knees crawling along."
The toxicity of the black smoke forced them to give up.
Mr Kendrick returned to his flat and grabbed a fold-up ladder and climbed up to Ms Dodd's front-facing windows and they fought flames from the outside.
Mr Kendrick said: "It looked like an explosion had chucked flames from the television on to the sofa.
"I have two fire extinguishers and used both of them until they ran out. I didn't know what else to use but saw a watering can and chucked water over the fire too.
"We managed to stifle the flames."
A passer-by alerted fire crews, who arrived within minutes with paramedics and police.
PC Anthony Moorhouse also tried to enter the flat but was also driven back by the ferocious fire.
Brixham fire officers Gary Welsh and Nick Burton then went into the flat and retrieved Ms Dodd who was slumped behind the door.
She regained consciousness while being treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and was taken to Torbay Hospital.
Firefighters used two hoses to put out the blaze which left the room badly charred and smoke damaged.
Ms Dodd was discharged last night and is convalescing with her daughter, also of Brixham, said Mr Connor, adding: "We are elated she is OK."
Brixham fire station's Watch Commander Martin Timblin said: "Their actions were not foolhardy — we are all human after all — but this is not something we would encourage.
"But by creating an artery through the door prior to our arrival they probably helped us get her out the flat.
"We are talking about saving vital seconds, not minutes. We were able to gain quick entry and control the situation."
Police Inspector Richard Hooper-Bennett said: "Our officer acted with courage.
"Thankfully the fire service was on scene very quickly and our gratitude must go to them too."
Mr Connor and Mr Kendrick modestly played down their fearlessness.
Mr Kendrick said: "I was brought up to care about my neighbours and look after older ones."
Mr Connor added: "Our only thought was to get her out of there."
It is thought the fire started accidentally from a television.
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