Couple jump from first-floor window to escape Fallowfield flat blaze – both remain in hospital

By Dean Wilkins

Two people who jumped out of a first-floor window to escape their burning flat are in hospital after a fire in a Fallowfield broke out earlier today.

Emergency crews, including 25 fire-fighters, were called to the blaze above a tailor shop on the A34, Kingsway, Burnage, at 4.15am.

A 38-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were injured and are being treated in Wythenshawe Hospital for burns, smoke inhalation and injuries sustained from the jump.

Area Manager Dave Keelan, GMFRS' Head of Prevention Services said: "It is devastating that two people are injured after feeling they had no other option but to jump from their bedroom window.

"Our thoughts are very much with them in hospital as our crews continue to fight the fire at their home this morning.

"It was incredibly fortunate that there was a working smoke alarm in the property which woke the two people up, which without doubt will have given them time to escape."

The man is being treated for 25 per cent burns and the woman is believed to be suffering from burns to her hands and shoulder as well as cuts to her hands.

The southbound lane on Kingsway remains closed but commuters are allowed to travel up the reopened northbound lane as the fire is now under control.

Station Manager Damian O'Rourke said: "When the first crews arrived, it was clear that a man and a woman had jumped from a first floor bedroom window and that they'd been woken by a smoke alarm sounding.

"We were faced with a very severe fire on the ground floor of a commercial dry cleaners which had spread to a first floor flat above and was burning into the roof space of the property."

Diversions are in place near Moseley Road as emergency deal with the incident.

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