Nottingham neighbours saw ‘billowing smoke’ before ‘shocking’ death of man in flat fire
Neighbours recalled seeing “billowing smoke” during a flat fire that killed a man in Nottingham. Emergency services responded to the blaze at a second-floor property in Watcombe Circus[1], Carrington, at around 7.25pm on Friday, December 1. The man was pronounced dead at the scene while a woman was taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening.
Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service[2] announced they were carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire. A forensics team and fire investigators remained at the address, while the road was cordoned off, when Nottinghamshire Live spoke to neighbours on Saturday afternoon, December 2. Georgina Mak, who lives a few doors down from the fire-hit property, described the incident as “shocking”.
Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp[3] “There was a lot of smoke and I saw flashing lights,” recalled the 39 year old. “Being a nosy neighbour I looked out the window and thought ‘oh my goodness’. “It was really shocking seeing billows of smoke.
People came out there houses. I saw ambulances, police[4] and fire engines.” The picker, who has lived in the area for six years, added: “I saw somebody being stretchered out and assumed the worse.
It carried on for hours, it seemed like there were 50 firemen getting their hoses. They were here all night.
Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service announced they were carrying out a joint investigation (Image: Nottingham Post/ Joel Moore)
“It’s not very often you see anything like this happen round here. It’s sad about the man and I hope the lady is OK.”
Malcolm Smith, 77, said: “I saw someone going into an ambulance which wasn’t very nice. I thought ‘my god’, it’s a shame what happened. They had a cat that used to sit every day in our garden, I’ve not seen it today.”
Barbara Kelham, 79, described the fire as “very nasty” while another resident who wished to remain anonymous said it was “strange” to see the emergency service presence. “I went upstairs to go to bed, looked outside and there were four fire engines and police cars,” said the woman, who moved into the area 20 years ago. “I could see firemen going in and out of the houses, the ambulance took someone away. “It’s a real shock.
It’s certainly been strange having all this police and fire presence here.”
Detective Sergeant Alan Prentice said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man at this incredibly sad time and we will continue to support them during this investigation.
We are continuing to work alongside our fire colleagues to establish exactly what has caused the fire.”
References
- ^ responded to the blaze at a second-floor property in Watcombe Circus (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp (www.nottinghampost.com)
- ^ police (www.nottinghampost.com)