Firefighters stuck in lift during a fire.

From The Sun 7th Sept 2011:



FIREMEN were rescued choking from a lift at a blazing tower block yesterday — after they broke a cardinal rule by not using the STAIRS.

The four crew members were in the elevator when it got stuck as their colleagues battled a fourth-floor blaze at the 17-storey building.

A source said after they were hauled clear and taken to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke and heat: "It beggars belief firemen used the lifts.

"Everyone has it drilled into them to use the stairs — even in a fire drill." The 3am inferno at swanky Salamanca Place in Lambeth, South London, saw 75 firefighters turn up in ten engines and five rescue units.

London Fire Brigade said the four who were rescued suffered "minor smoke inhalation and slight heat exhaustion".

A spokesman confirmed an investigation had been launched into why the lift was used.

A fifth firefighter was also taken to hospital — as were six residents from the block of flats. More than 100 people were evacuated during the two-hour battle to control the blaze.

Nine trapped on the third and fourth floors were dramatically rescued using ladders. Others were led to safety via stairwells.

The Salamanca Tower was built three years ago by Berkeley Homes. Last night the cause of the fire was also being probed.



You couldn't make this up. What on earth were they thinking about?