Pupils praised for saving occupant of first-floor flat from chip-pan fire in Galashiels
Last updated 11th Dec 2023
Three school children are being praised for alerting firefighters to a chip pan blaze in a first-floor flat in Galashiels.
The youngsters - two girls and a boy - had been passing the building when they heard the smoke alarm sounding and went into the stairwell to investigate.
They identified the flat the noise was coming from and tried to alert the occupier.
But, when they got no response, the children - believed to be in the P6-P7 age group - asked a neighbour to call the fire service. They then waited on the street outside to meet them on their arrival.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus then entered the property and rescued the occupant inside.
A report being presented to Scottish Borders Council's Safer Communities Board next week, states the actions of the quick-thinking youngsters "without doubt" saved the person's life.
It's not clear exactly where or when the "recent incident" happened - but the fire service says it highlights how its work with local schools is making communities safer and more resilient.
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A total of 33 dwelling fires have been recorded in the region between April and September this year - that's up on the 28 recorded for the same period last year. Cooking appliances accounted for 11 of them, and five were blamed on faulty equipment.
The report adds: "In the last six months, tragically one person lost their life and one went to hopsital with injuries that appeared slight. Two people required a precautionary check from the Scottish Ambulance Service and two received first aid from SFRS (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) staff on scene."
Local crews also attended 38 road traffic collisions during that time - with 17 reported injuries.
However, the number of call-outs to false alarms has dropped by around a fifth.
It follows fire chiefs' decision to stop attending automatic fire alarm call-outs in commercial premises - such as factories, offices, shops and leisure facilities - unless a fire has been confirmed.
Do you recognise the description of the Galashiels life-savers? We'd love to get them on air. You can email: ally.mcgilvray@bauermedia.co.uk