Residents were left "trapped by flames and smoke" after a fire in Stapleford.
The blaze broke out in Braddon Avenue on Tuesday, January 18. Fire crews from Stapleford, Highfields and Ilkeston were called after the fire started in a bin store at a number of flats and smoke alarms alerted families living nearby to it.
None of the families required hospital treatment after the incident.
A spokesperson for Stapleford Fire Station said: "Working smoke alarms alerted a number of families to a fire within a bin store outside their flats. Our fire control received 999 calls from people trapped by flames and smoke, they quickly mobilised fire crews and officers from Stapleford Highfields and Ilkeston.
"When we arrived two firefighters were quickly sent in to the block of flats, wearing breathing apparatus and using a firefighting jet to beat back the flames meaning they could lead the occupants to safety.
"None of the families required hospital treatment.
"If you do only one thing today. Please check your smoke alarms, they absolutely save lives."
Councillor Richard McRae, who represents the area for Broxtowe Borough Council, went to the scene after being contacted by a concerned resident.
"One of the residents in the upstairs flat contacted me," he said.
"People were told to stay inside and the fire brigade did their job. We are very lucky in Stapleford to have the fire station and they did an amazing job as they always do.
"When everyone is running from danger they run towards it. The road was shut for an hour or two while they dealt with it and people in the flats had their electricity turned off.
"I've been to check on them this morning and everybody seems to be doing OK."
To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here .
