The family which owns a village property damaged during a blaze at the weekend has thanked those who reported the fire and prevented more serious damage.
As RUDDINGTON.info previously reported, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house at the corner of Kirk Lane and Loughborough Road at 12.32am on Saturday (14th December) when smoke was seen coming from the roof. Crews from West Bridgford, Highfields, London Road and East Leake Fire Stations used breathing apparatus to extinguish the flames using two hose reel jets, 1 main jet and an aerial platform ladder.
June Brinkworth told us: “This house belongs to my daughter and her partner. They’ve spent almost a year renovating it and have worked so hard. It was getting near the stage when they could finally move in with their toddler and a new baby. I have been contacted by the lady who spoke to the fire officer and she informed me it was her that saw smoke and ‘phoned 999. We will be eternally grateful to her. It was her swift action that saved the house.”
She revealed there was also a “Good Samaritan” on the scene who just happened to be walking past as the fire brigade was being called. He has now been identified as Ruddington Borough Councillor Gary Dickman – who bravely rushed into the premises to check that no one was trapped and then waited until the emergency services arrived.
“When he arrived at the scene the people already there said they thought they had heard someone inside” explained June. “He was very selfless in making sure no one was in the house. He assured me he was aware of his escape route at all times, which I’m really glad about! I’m just pleased he didn’t come to any harm.”
Lifelong Ruddington resident Pamela Phethean sent her sympathies to the family about the damage caused and revealed a little about the property’s long history: “My grandparents, James and Elizabeth Phethean, lived there and my father, Norman Phethean and his brother Harold, both lived there as boys” she says. “The house was sold for the first time on my grandmother’s death in, I think, 1944. James and Norman were both pharmacists at 12 High Street from 1903, followed by my brother Ken until he retired in the late 1980s. I have many happy memories of it and hope it can be saved.”
The Fire Service confirmed the house was unoccupied when fire broke out and that no one was hurt during Saturday’s incident. It said the blaze appears to have begun in the roof, which suffered some damage, and there was additional smoke and water damage to other parts of the property. However, there is still some mystery as to how the fire may have started – and police are assisting as forensic investigations continue.
“If anyone has any information it will be treated in the strictest confidence” said June. “This has left all of our family devastated! Please private message me on Facebook if you can help us.”
You can also call Nottinghamshire Police with any information you may have on 101 – or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
