Crews rescue two from blaze

From the Echo, first published Friday 17th Oct 2003.

TWO firefighters described how they risked their lives to pull two people from a burning house late last night.

One man jumped from a window to escape the ferocious blaze at the two-storey house in St Anthony's Road last night and another was taken to Bournemouth General Hospital.

Last night a Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Police and fire officers will be investigating the incident to ascertain the cause of the blaze, which is believed to be malicious ignition."

The large detached property belonged to controversial character Peter Hamilton-Harvey.

Two firefighters ended up being treated at the scene for minor burns while a third was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Neighbours alerted firefighters to a burning car outside the property at around 10.20pm.

Shortly after that firefighters received other calls to say that the huge three-storey house behind it had also caught fire.

Around 18 fire engines, a hydraulic platform, hand hoses and breathing apparatus were used to tackle the ferocious fire which burned throughout the night.

Crews were drafted in from 15 areas across Dorset and Hampshire.

Retained firefighter Vince Dawkins, 40, who received a burnt ear, described how together with colleague Dan Garner, 23, they broke into the house and rescued the pair.

Father of two, Vince, said: "There was an old lady on the balcony. There was a red box and she used that to climb over and onto the ladder.

"It was the hottest I've ever known it. There was a lot of smoke and a lot of heat.

Shy hero Dan, a firefighter for four years, said: "There was a guy behind a sealed door and we had to kick the door in and drag him out onto the balcony. We just did what we are paid to do."

Bournemouth divisional Inspector Robin Hemsworth, said that there would be an investigation by Dorset Fire and Rescue and scenes of crime officers into the causes of the fire.

The blaze almost completely destroyed the house after the roof fell in and chimney stack collapsed leaving walls only partially standing.

Firefighters predicted that the rest of the house would have to be pulled down once the fire was out.

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