Bispham boy praised for saving family after Christmas tree explodes into flames

The youngster had been asleep on a sofa in the living room of his home in Montpelier Avenue when a Christmas tree exploded into flames yesterday afternoon (December 23).

The boy awakened to find the 6ft tree ablaze, just feet from where he had been sleeping.

Remembering what he had been taught in school, the boy stayed calm and shut the living room door to prevent the fire from spreading to other rooms.

He then alerted his family and ushered them outside to safety.

Fire crews from Blackpool and Bispham rushed to the home and extinguished the flames using a hose reel.

The fire service said two members of the family suffered from smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene.

The family's living room has been badly damaged by the fire, but the rest of the home, including the family's Christmas presents, have been saved.

Bispham station manager Tom Powell has praised the young boy, whose quick and calm response might have prevented a Christmas tragedy.

Mr Powell said: "I always dread house fires so close to Christmas. Attended a Christmas tree fire earlier. A young boy asleep on the sofa woke to find the fire.

"He shut the living room door and evacuated his family. Although the room was badly damaged, the rest of the house, presents and most importantly the family are safe."

A fire service spokesman added: "At 2.36pm, fire engines from Blackpool and Bispham attended a fire on Montpelier Avenue, Blackpool.

"The fire was within a domestic property and firefighters used four breathing apparatus, one hose reel and a positive ventilation fan to extinguish the fire.

"Two casualties were suffering the affects of smoke inhalation and crews were detained for approximately one hour."

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