Published: Wednesday, 10th October, 2007 12:30
Fault blamed as flat gutted
By Caitlin Smith
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A FIRE in Langlee gutted a second-storey flat on Friday.
It is believed the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
A male adult was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
The Waverley Housing Association property was fitted with a smoke alarm, although it’s believed not to have been working when firefighters arrived.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph, the association’s chief executive Robert Johnson said: “All our houses have been fitted and checked for smoke detectors which are either battery operated or hard-wired.
“If the smoke detector didn’t alert the man to the fire this would be because the battery was removed or the detector was damaged.”
Emergency services arrived at the Laurel Grove residence around midday, but the fire had already caused massive damage.
Police and fire officers are carrying out an investigation though there are no suspicious circumstances.
Local resident William Balson was walking home when he saw smoke.
“I was coming up the Melrose Road and I just saw this massive cloud of smoke.
“I panicked because I thought it might have been my house.
“Smoke was belching out the window.
“The fire brigade were already there, as were the police, ” he said.
A police spokesperson later confirmed that the house had been completely destroyed by the fire and a neighbouring flat affected by water.
Mike Partington Group Manager for Community Services at Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade said it was vital that home safety checks were carried out within homes.
He said: “Smoke detectors are vital because they give an early warning of a fire.
“It is possible that a house will just keep burning and burning and if an alarm is not in place to alert the resident then they could die from smoke inhalation.”
Mr Partington added that fire officers had offered safety packs to all the houses in the area.
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