Special report by Alan Evans and Iwan Lewis
TEN -year-old Tia Hughes saved the day with her quick reactions when she spotted smoke coming from a block of flats at Granby Close in Llanelli.
Tia ran as quick as she could to alert her family, Christian, her cousin Luke (23) and father Daniel (33).
Tia’s father Daniel said: “If it hadn’t been for Tia things could have been a lot worse. She ran down to my house screaming.”
Quick thinking Daniel Luke and Christian took a ladder and rescued two people from the building. One was a heavily pregnant woman and the other a senior citizen.
Speaking to our reporter Iwan Lewis in the aftermath of the fire Daniel said: “Another five or ten minutes and the place was alight. There was a lot of smoke. The lady was given oxygen at the scene and the old man got taken to hospital.”
Speaking to our reporter Tia said: “I saw smoke and I ran to have a look. This man was asking for a ladder and the woman was screaming through the window. I ran down to my parents and they brought the ladder. My Daddy my uncle and my cousin all came down and rescued the people from the flats. We got one man from out from the bottom flat and an old man and a pregnant lady from two other flats.”
Eye witnesses said there were also two explosions.
At least five fire crews were in attendance. The police and ambulance service were also in attendance.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue said that they received a call shortly after 5pm this evening, Thursday, Nov (23). At least two people were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. Some residents were evacuated to a nearby building.
Cllr Sean Rees who represents the Glanymor ward and who was also at the scene said: “I’ve just spoken with the emergency services on site. I want to thank the police, ambulance and fire services for their response to this incident at Granby Close this evening. I have also been speaking with some of the residents and families in our area and understandably we are shocked. Some residents have now also been evacuated to a nearby building. The Morfa community is coming together tonight and our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.”
In a statement issued this evening the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Emergency services were alerted to a fire in the stairwell of a block of flats at Granby Close, Llanelli, at approx. 5.15pm this evening (Nov 23).
“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have the fire under control. Police officers are at scene assisting with traffic and members of the public.
“Due to concerns for safety, four blocks of flats have been evacuated and a 100 metre cordon is in place.
“All residents are safely accounted for. At this stage, one man has been conveyed to hospital by ambulance as a precaution with smoke inhalation. Four people have also been treated at scene.
“Carmarthenshire Council coordinated a place of safety for affected residents. They have all now found alternative accommodation for tonight.
“The cause of the fire is being investigated, and if anyone witnessed the fire or has any information related to it they are asked to call police on 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908, quoting Ref: 289 of Nov 23.”
