8:10am Thursday 23rd July 2009
By Claire Fry
A QUICK-thinking Worcestershire nurse has spoken about helping her neighbour from a smoke-filled bungalow.
Sheila Kitchen was in her garden on Saturday evening when she heard the faint sound of a smoke alarm and went to investigate.
Mrs Kitchen, who lives near Tenbury Hospital in Burford, found neighbour Tom Didlick’s front room filled with thick black smoke.
“The alarm wasn’t very loud at all but something in me told me there was a problem,” she said. “I went to investigate and when I got to my neighbour’s house I looked through the window and couldn’t see in because the room was just full of black smoke. But I could hear him calling for help and I called the emergency services.”
Mr Didlick, who is in his 80s, was rescued by firefighters and given oxygen by community first responder and close friend Chris Woods.
Mr Woods, aged 60, said: “The fire services were already there and there was a lot of smoke, although not a lot of fire damage. But it was clear that Tom was in a bad way and I gave him oxygen before he was taken by ambulance to hospital in Hereford. Tom’s dog was also with him and is now being looked after by me.”
Mr Didlick is still in a critical condition at Hereford Community Hospital.
Mr Woods said: “I have visited him but unfortunately his condition has deteriorated and we are very worried.”
Mrs Kitchen, who has known Mr Didlick for a number of years, said the incident had been “scary”.
“I had only just been on a fire course so that helped,” she said.
“I knew I shouldn’t go in myself so it was a relief to see the firemen turn up so quickly.
“But I want to urge other people to keep an eye on their neighbours, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable and just look out for them.”
Two fire engines from Tenbury attended the scene and David James, watch manager at Tenbury fire station, praised Mrs Kitchen’s actions and community spirit.
“Luckily we were quite quick and we were in the property with breathing apparatus within minutes and got him out,” said Mr James.
“He was in the lounge and we quickly found him and brought him out and rendered first aid to him. We then went into the property and were able to rescue the dog from the kitchen.”
The fire started in the lounge. Firefighters said they believe Mr Didlick had fallen and grabbed hold of the lit bar fire to pull himself back up. However, this fell over and the carpet caught alight.
Mr James stressed how important it is to have working smoke alarms in your property and to request a fire safety check by calling 0800 0321155.
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