The Mullan family miraculously escaped uninjured during fire at home in Magilligan
A FATHER has described the panic as he, his three children and his partner struggled to escape a Boxing Day blaze that threatened their lives.
Stephen Mullan, his partner Miriam Ramsey and his children, Ben, 12, Leah, 10, and Rhys, 9, were caught up in the fire at Seacoast Road, Magilligan, at 16:00 GMT.
Mr Mullan said a spark from the hearth fire caught his youngest son, Rhys’ clothing.
The boy suffered third degree burns.
Mr Mullan said he rushed to help and when he looked around, the whole living room was alight.
“When I realised the fire was too much, I told them to go out the front door which was locked so we couldn’t get out,” he said.
“It was just a matter of minutes and the whole house was completely covered in smoke.
“Me and the two boys ran up the stairs, Miriam and Leah were already in the back room. I got the fire escape window opened and the whole lot of us got onto a flat roof at the back. We contacted the emergency services then.”
Four out of the five were able to clamber to safety.
Fire crews used a ladder to rescue the fifth.
Three fire appliances were called to the scene of what the five service called a “severe” blaze, believed to have started in the living room of the house.
The family were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. They were taken to hospital where Rhys was treated for burns to his face and body.
Dermot Rooney, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said the telephone operator was able to keep them calm.
“They were stuck for 20 minutes,” he said. “Our operators are highly skilled in terms of gleaning information from distressed callers.”
He said that in the case of a fire, people should ensure doors are closed and put themselves somewhere where they can be rescued easily.
He reminded the public of the Fire Service acronym STOP.
S for smoke alarm, T for testing the alarm at least once a week, O for being aware of obvious dangers like candles, cooking appliances and Christmas decorations and P for having an escape plan and ensuring everyone in the house knows it.
Tags: