Off-duty 'hero' firefighter helps family escape from Wellingborough home with roof on fire
A Wellingborough family unaware their home was on fire was saved by a passing off-duty firefighter who saw smoke and raised the alarm this morning (Monday, May 25).
Rushden firefighter Robert Shipman had been doing some DIY chores and had just returned home with some tools when he noticed smoke rising from a house in Prospero Drive.
He parked his car and sprinted to the alert the family of three, who were inside the large new-build detached home, with solar panels, to get out immediately.
Mr Shipman said: “As I was coming round the corner I saw a big cloud of smoke. I banged on the door and said I’m an off duty firefighter can you please get out your house – it’s on fire. The family didn’t realise their roof had gone, they were on the first floor. They got out and we managed to get two of their pets out. We knocked on the next door neighbour’s door and said there’s a fire, get out.”
With emergency services on the way, Mr Shipman made sure people stayed safe and away from the scene. Two other off-duty firefighters – also residents – helped.
Mr Shipman said: “You could see some really thick orange flames coming through the loft hatch. Where things had fallen off the roof it set fire to the door.
“I saw some Ring doorbell footage – I’ve never seen anything like it the roof just went.”
At least four cars parked in the area were damaged by the blaze as tiles fell down from the roof.
Neighbours helped affected families as firefighters worked to control the blaze including crews from Irthlingborough and Rushden as well as an aerial appliance from Moulton.
A spokesman for Northants Police said: “Emergency services are at the scene of a major house fire in Wellingborough which started shortly before 10.45am today (Monday, May 25).
“At least four fire appliances are at the scene of the blaze, at a detached new -build property in Prospero Drive. Nobody is believed to be inside the property.
“Police have closed a number of roads in the immediate area of the blaze which is also blowing smoke across the nearby A509. Members of the public are being asked to avoid the area and to close windows to prevent smoke getting inside.”
Representatives from housebuilder David Wilson Homes were at the scene and liaised with Northants Fire and Rescue Service personnel.
A Barratt Redrow spokesperson said: “Our priority is supporting the residents affected, meanwhile we will provide any assistance required to the Fire Service as it investigates the cause of the fire.”