There was a fire in my parents block of flats

They smelled smoke last night, but thought it was a bonfire. When my dad got up for his 5 am nicotine, he realised their flat was full of smoke, so evacuated mum and the cat, called the fire brigade, and got everyone he could out of the block.

They're fine, but sadly the man in the flat on fire died. He hadn't had a fire alarm.

Their flat is undamaged, but stinks of smoke and mum is very upset, as she thinks she could have saved the man if they'd reported the smoke yesterday.

So please, please do check the batteries in your fire alarm.

We're a city, but with lots of green and semi-rural areas. This time of year you can't go anywhere without smelling a bonfire, so I'm not at all surprised they didn't think anything of it.

I'm just so glad that they are safe.

I just spoke to mum and she's tired, but OK, now. She's come round to thinking that he was probably already dead when she smelled the smoke last night, or he'd have done something himself.

My dad, apparently, was a bit of a hero (as far as a mentally shaky 60 year old who walks with a cane can be) as he woke the entire block of flats to ensure they were safe and called the fire brigade.

Apparently it's all been very busy, as the police and fire brigade only just left, taking the poor man away with them. There were fire dogs and everything, as obviously they have to check there was no foul play.

00Pepper said:

Oh wow! I'm so glad everyone is okay! Do they know what started the fire?

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No, they don't. My mum thinks he may have fallen asleep while smoking, but it could have been an electrical fire or even deliberately set. I guess we won't know anything till the investigation is finished.