A Chadderton teenager saved her grandmother from suffering horrific burns after her sari set alight from a gas fire on Boxing Day.
The schoolgirl used the Stop, Drop and Roll technique to extinguish the flames that had set alight her 55-year-old grandmother’s clothes before throwing water on her.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service have praised the girl for her quick-thinking actions and are urging others to be vigilant when wearing loose clothing.
Group Manager Wayne Shields, Head of GMFRS’ Prevention Services, said: “I’ve no doubt that the actions of this brave young girl saved the woman from suffering very serious injuries.
“The girl listened to firefighters when they visited her school and taught the Stop, Drop and Roll technique and she did everything right – she did an excellent job.”
Fire crews from Oldham and Chadderton attended the semi-detached house and the woman was treated at the scene by paramedics and firefighters before being taken to Wythenshawe Hospital.
This is the second incident in Manchester where a sari has caught fire after a woman died from serious burns in Rochdale
Group Manager Shields added: “Our prevention team does lots of work to raise awareness of how easily clothes can catch fire – particularly traditional Asian clothing such as saris – and we have an ongoing partnership with the Asian Development Association of Bury (ADAB), which also functions in Oldham, to give important safety messages to the Asian community.
“I would urge the public to take extra care when wearing loose clothing – particularly when cooking or around any heat source or flame. And please take a few moments to read our safety advice and watch our videos so that if you are involved in a fire, you know what to do.”
For advice on how to stay safe in the home, visit the GMFRS website here.
Picture courtesy of Kosh Koshy via Flickr, with thanks.
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