Neighbours have said they were 'traumatised' by a flat fire which killed two children. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire in a first-floor flat on Fairisle Close, Clifton at 3.17am on Sunday, November 20, following reports from members of the public who had seen smoke.
A woman and two young children were treated at the scene by East Midlands Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation, and then taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. Sadly the two children, aged three and one, were pronounced dead at the hospital, and the woman remains in a critical condition - a joint police and fire service investigation found the fire was started deliberately.
A number of neighbouring properties were temporarily evacuated, with residents upset by the scene as fire crews attempted to rescue the three people from the fire hit home. Lauren Richardson, 31, who lives on Sumburgh Road, before the incident had been declared fatal and deliberate, said: "I saw them being pulled out which was very upsetting. It was traumatic to see as a mum, and I also had to go get my daughter and her friends who were having a sleepover - they were upset too.
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"I was having a few drinks with friends at the time and my friend thought one of the candles had gone out, but when we looked out of the garden we saw all the black smoke."
Laura Smith, 34, a childminder who was also evacuated from her home on Sumburgh Road, said: "All I saw was the smoke. I could hear all the sirens as well.
"We were evacuated at about 4.30am. It was really a bit frightening, I had to wake up my 12-year-old daughter and get her out."
One fire engine from West Bridgford fire station, two from London Road and one from Highfields attended the incident. Firefighters used breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire, which they did at around 4am.
Another Sumburgh Road resident, who did not want to be named, added: "We were woken up by our dog and then saw the fire from our house. My wife rang the fire service about it.
"All we could see really was all the smoke. It's a big old cordon they've set up for it."
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