Firefighters have rescued a bird and a cat from a blaze in Chippenham.
Fire crews were called to a flat in The Butts, off London Road, following reports of an alarm actuating at around 1pm this afternoon (Sunday).
A blaze was located in the bathroom of a ground-floor flat within a terraced building and was extinguished.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel jet to put out the flames – all whilst saving a pet bird and cat from the property.
The occupants of the flat were not home at the time of the fire.
Fire crews, responding from Chippenham and Devizes, used positive pressure ventilation fans to clear the building of smoke and a thermal imaging camera to ensure the flames were completely out.
The bathroom was severely damaged by fire, whilst other parts of the flat sustained significant smoke damage.
Smoke alarms really do save lives and serve as an early fire warning. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service recommends that occupiers have a smoke alarm on every level of their home. Smoke alarms should be tested regularly, and the batteries replaced annually or as directed in the manufacturer's instructions.
More information on smoke alarms and home safety can be found on dwfire.org.uk.
