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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Crewe fire: Beechmere incident commander 'saved lives' | Crewe fire: Beechmere incident commander 'saved lives' |
| (4 months later) | |
| Elderly people would have died in a blaze at a retirement complex without a fire chief's "swift and decisive actions". | Elderly people would have died in a blaze at a retirement complex without a fire chief's "swift and decisive actions". |
| About 150 residents were evacuated in the fire at Beechmere residential apartments in Crewe. | |
| Decisions made by the incident commander, who was first at the scene on Thursday, "undoubtedly saved lives", according to the fire service. | Decisions made by the incident commander, who was first at the scene on Thursday, "undoubtedly saved lives", according to the fire service. |
| Investigators are to examine how the blaze was able to spread so rapidly. | Investigators are to examine how the blaze was able to spread so rapidly. |
| Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was not thought to have been arson. | Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was not thought to have been arson. |
| The incident commander chose to override a "stay put" policy at the premises, which would have required residents to remain in their apartments and be evacuated on a phased basis. | The incident commander chose to override a "stay put" policy at the premises, which would have required residents to remain in their apartments and be evacuated on a phased basis. |
| Lee Shears, head of protection with the fire service, said: "It's clear that the fire wasn't behaving in the way that we would expect, and I must praise his swift and decisive actions in ordering the immediate evacuation of residents. | Lee Shears, head of protection with the fire service, said: "It's clear that the fire wasn't behaving in the way that we would expect, and I must praise his swift and decisive actions in ordering the immediate evacuation of residents. |
| "His decision undoubtedly saved lives." | "His decision undoubtedly saved lives." |
| Assistant chief fire officer Gus O'Rourke added: "I must also praise the staff at Beechmere and neighbouring residents. | Assistant chief fire officer Gus O'Rourke added: "I must also praise the staff at Beechmere and neighbouring residents. |
| "They should be truly proud of themselves. | "They should be truly proud of themselves. |
| "The support from residents and the wider community of Crewe continues to be an inspiration to us all, and I can't thank them enough for their generosity, patience and understanding during this incident." | "The support from residents and the wider community of Crewe continues to be an inspiration to us all, and I can't thank them enough for their generosity, patience and understanding during this incident." |
| Residents from properties neighbouring the site were also evacuated but are expected to be allowed to return home soon. | Residents from properties neighbouring the site were also evacuated but are expected to be allowed to return home soon. |
| Avantage Cheshire Limited, which runs the complex, said it was "devastated" by the fire and relieved everyone on site was safely evacuated. | Avantage Cheshire Limited, which runs the complex, said it was "devastated" by the fire and relieved everyone on site was safely evacuated. |
| Mr Shears added that the section of the building that remained intact would be "crucial" in helping investigators establish what happened. | Mr Shears added that the section of the building that remained intact would be "crucial" in helping investigators establish what happened. |
| Crews have been working throughout the weekend to damp down the site, where much of the building collapsed, and will continue the work on Monday. | Crews have been working throughout the weekend to damp down the site, where much of the building collapsed, and will continue the work on Monday. |
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