Girl dies in house fire

[Stefy09]

Girl dies in house fire

A girl has died after a fire at a house.

Emergency services were called to a three storey end of terrace house in Barleycorn Close just after 10pm yesterday (Thursday, May 21).

One adult has been taken to Luton & Dunstable Hospital where he is being treated and two other children have been discharged from hospital.

Officers from Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, Bedfordshire Police and the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit are currently investigating the incident.

Gary Sanderson, of East of England Ambulance Service, said the child was found dead at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the child that's been involved," he said.

"It's very tragic, and not a very good night for the ambulance service."

Simon Jones, deputy area commander for the fire service, said that the first crew entered the house with breathing apparatus after being told one girl was likely to be on the first or second floor.

"As they got into the hallway they fought the fire as best they could. It was extremely severe and they realised they couldn't make progress. They tried to tackle the fire from the rear.

"Three breathing apparatus crew went in through the front door and were instructed to search all floors and fight the fire. Within two minutes tragically this young girl was found and she was clearly not alive.

"This is as challenging an incident as you can go to - to a severe house fire involving children. It's as difficult as it gets. We're all family people, and the crews tried their utmost. They acted quickly, totally professionally and did everything they could to help but unfortunately it was impossible."

Amanda Smart, who lives in the flats nearby, said: "People will be frightened now. Something's got to be done. We have been told all the buildings are fire proof. It's so sad what's happened. It makes me want to cry."

Another neighbour, who lives in a house identical to the one which caught fire, added: "I've lived here two years and there's never been a fire this bad. I have six young kids. My kids sleep on the top floor. There's no fire escape."

The fire was just down the road from where I live, quite sad when its just a child who dies, feel sorry her family. rip.

[Catchy]

Tragic! R.I.P