Dramatic rescue as fire traps residents

TEN people, including a baby, were treated in hospital yesterday after being dramatically rescued from a burning apartment block in the centre of Dublin.

The 10, who were treated for smoke inhalation, were among 15 adults and one child rescued from the building on Ormond Quay on the city’s northside.

Firefighters had to use ladders to rescue those trapped inside. The infant was the first to be lifted out of the third-storey window by fire crews. Nine fire appliances and four ambulances were sent to the scene of the fire, which broke out around 2pm. Those suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation were treated in various Dublin hospitals.

One fireman said there was “pure panic” inside the building as the residents, all Chinese nationals, were trapped in the upper floors by thick black smoke. The fire started on a lower landing used as a storage area.

Four of the residents had attempted to make their way out of the building but were unable to do so because of the fire and smoke.

“Firemen are able to find their way around in black smoke because we are trained and were wearing breathing apparatus. In black smoke it doesn’t take too long for people to become disorientated,” said the firefighter.

The alarm was raised by a passersby who saw smoke coming from the building.

Then fire control at Tara Street received a call from inside the building to say people were trapped.

Firefighters said they were able to get to the scene of the blaze within a few minutes of the alarm being raised because Ormond Quay is close to the city’s main station at Tara Street.

This was a vital factor in saving lives. “No doubt about it. The close proximity was a hugh factor,” said one firefighter.

Three ladders were used to reach those trapped inside and at the back and the front of the building.

Ormond Quay was closed for a time and traffic diverted as fire crews fought the blaze. Gardaí will investigate but it is not believed the fire was started deliberately.