The fire happened on Sunday night and was in the front of the flat while I was at the back. I didn't actually see it and the fire itself did not spread far but the smoke did - throughout the whole flat except the front room and kitchen (where there is just a bit of a mess from people saving my life).
I was rescued by the (amazing) fire brigade from my window about 5 mins after shouting for help so I went down the ladder wearing an inappropriate amount of clothing for a) the public and b) the night. But I'm sure it was more embarrassing for me than anyone else! I am totally fine.
I'm pretty certain that it started with an oven glove that re-caught fire. I had some burn earlier in the day and so I put them out and drenched them in cold water so I thought the fire was out - cold to touch. I put them in a bag of rubbish to chuck out later (am on 3rd floor). I had planned the evening/night around "Match of the Day"1 on at 10:30. I started watching a film so that it'd finish at 10:15, it was Alien 3 actually. Then I'd have time for the removal of rubbish and an all important brew.
As I was watching the film (which you may know has the theme of catching aliens in hot stuff and fire generally) the lights were off anyway but then the sound and the picture went. I got up to check the fuse box at the front of the flat but the door to the corridor wouldn't open (pressure difference from heat causing effective suction, I guess) and was decidedly warm. This obviously concerned me so I went to the kitchen door (which leads to the same corridor) and noticed smoke2 so I went to the window and tried calling the emergency services.
I failed calling the emergency services. My landline was essentially out of service due to lack of electricity to the cordless receiver so I tried my mobile, which did not respond. A slight concern.
Anyway, I was at the window so I shouted for help.
A passing girl asked me if I was "taking the piss?". I said I wasn't, told her my address and she called, and then said she could see smoke after.
"You're right, I can see smoke coming out of the windows"
There was some smoke in the front room as I remember getting down to avoid the smoke but the details are pretty hazy to be honest. Within 5 mins3, I saw the fire engine coming (I waited by the window as that seemed safest) and the fireman told me a ladder was coming up so I moved away from the window slightly - but obviously not too far away. And then went down the ladder. I think I was pretty lucid so I wanted to go down quickly but he made sure I was slow and careful by standing below me. A neighbour did tell me later they saw me "race" down so it may have been my mind being slower than my body. Some other firemen then broke through my front door to put the fire itself out which was at the front.
I was put in the fire engine, given oxygen4 and then asked how I felt etc. Then, as I had had some oxygen administered, I was put in an ambulance for some tests and questions. All were very pleasant people throughout. The police came after that (coastguard would have been a clean sweep, but fairly tricky in Kentish Town) and asked what happened and, understandably, whether it could have been arson5.
I told them later what I thought the cause was and they found the offending item.
Even after all the water and the fire was put out, the glove still had embers of fire so they put that out too. Unbelievable ability to hold heat!
I called my parents and asked them to come and get me as there had been a fire in the flat(I later found out they did not realise it was my flat as they came) which they very kindly did. And that, is how a Sunday night can turn a little sour.
1. The last day of the season, and I did not yet know quite how spectacular it was.↩
2. My memory fails me as to whether I opened the door or just noticed it in the little glass window above the door.↩
3. It was rather lucky it didn't happen after the fire service cuts pushed through by Boris Johnson.↩
4. I was actually asked if I had any respitory problems and then told to have the oxygen as a precaution.↩
5. You have no idea what was going through my head when asked whether there was anyone that could have wanted to do this to me in particular.↩
I was rescued by the (amazing) fire brigade from my window about 5 mins after shouting for help so I went down the ladder wearing an inappropriate amount of clothing for a) the public and b) the night. But I'm sure it was more embarrassing for me than anyone else! I am totally fine.
As I was watching the film (which you may know has the theme of catching aliens in hot stuff and fire generally) the lights were off anyway but then the sound and the picture went. I got up to check the fuse box at the front of the flat but the door to the corridor wouldn't open (pressure difference from heat causing effective suction, I guess) and was decidedly warm. This obviously concerned me so I went to the kitchen door (which leads to the same corridor) and noticed smoke2 so I went to the window and tried calling the emergency services.
I failed calling the emergency services. My landline was essentially out of service due to lack of electricity to the cordless receiver so I tried my mobile, which did not respond. A slight concern.
Anyway, I was at the window so I shouted for help.
A passing girl asked me if I was "taking the piss?". I said I wasn't, told her my address and she called, and then said she could see smoke after.
"You're right, I can see smoke coming out of the windows"
There was some smoke in the front room as I remember getting down to avoid the smoke but the details are pretty hazy to be honest. Within 5 mins3, I saw the fire engine coming (I waited by the window as that seemed safest) and the fireman told me a ladder was coming up so I moved away from the window slightly - but obviously not too far away. And then went down the ladder. I think I was pretty lucid so I wanted to go down quickly but he made sure I was slow and careful by standing below me. A neighbour did tell me later they saw me "race" down so it may have been my mind being slower than my body. Some other firemen then broke through my front door to put the fire itself out which was at the front.
I was put in the fire engine, given oxygen4 and then asked how I felt etc. Then, as I had had some oxygen administered, I was put in an ambulance for some tests and questions. All were very pleasant people throughout. The police came after that (coastguard would have been a clean sweep, but fairly tricky in Kentish Town) and asked what happened and, understandably, whether it could have been arson5.
I told them later what I thought the cause was and they found the offending item.
Even after all the water and the fire was put out, the glove still had embers of fire so they put that out too. Unbelievable ability to hold heat!
I called my parents and asked them to come and get me as there had been a fire in the flat(I later found out they did not realise it was my flat as they came) which they very kindly did. And that, is how a Sunday night can turn a little sour.
1. The last day of the season, and I did not yet know quite how spectacular it was.↩
2. My memory fails me as to whether I opened the door or just noticed it in the little glass window above the door.↩
3. It was rather lucky it didn't happen after the fire service cuts pushed through by Boris Johnson.↩
4. I was actually asked if I had any respitory problems and then told to have the oxygen as a precaution.↩
5. You have no idea what was going through my head when asked whether there was anyone that could have wanted to do this to me in particular.↩
