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Blaze nearly wrecked my home, says ex-MP
A FORMER MP has revealed that his 500-year-old home was almost destroyed after a blaze broke out in an adjoining workshop.
Sir Patrick McNair-Wilson, who represented the New Forest for almost 30 years, said flames were about to engulf the timber-framed farmhouse when fire crews arrived.
"Another five minutes and there would have been no house," he said.
As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, the blaze broke out at the property in Lyndhurst Road, Beaulieu, on Monday evening.
Sir Patrick, 79, said: "I was having supper in the kitchen when my son Guy said he could smell burning. We went to investigate and discovered the little workshop at the end of the house was on fire.
"The flames spread to a barn and also went up the side of the house, attacking the room used by one of my daughters. It was a major conflagration - the workshop itself was a mass of flame.
"Luckily there's a hydrant outside, which meant the fire crews were able to apply a great deal of water. They were magnificent - 100 per cent efficient."
About 40 firefighters from St Mary's, Southampton, and across the Forest were sent to the scene.
They managed to prevent the flames from destroying the house, which dates from before 1538. However, the property was badly damaged by smoke and water.
"The staircase was like a river," said Sir Patrick.
The former MP has lived in the house since 1960 and plans to remain during the rebuilding work, expected to take about six months.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Niall Hayden said firefighters removed part of the ceiling, enabling them to fight the fire from inside the property.
The blaze is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Sir Patrick respresented the Forest from winning a by-election in 1968 until he retired in 1997.
7:39am Wednesday 6th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Redfield, Winchester on 9:08am Wed 6 Aug 08
"About 40 firefighters from St Mary's, Southampton, and across the Forest were sent to the scene." Why Southampton first? If it's in Beaulieu why not say that and that they were supported from as far away as St.Mary's in Southampton? Rubbish reporting again
"About 40 firefighters from St Mary's, Southampton, and across the Forest were sent to the scene." Why Southampton first? If it's in Beaulieu why not say that and that they were supported from as far away as St.Mary's in Southampton? Rubbish reporting again
Posted by: southy, redbridge on 12:37pm Wed 6 Aug 08
southampton is full time service while,new forset is part timer.
southampton is full time service while,new forset is part timer.
Posted by: Guy McNair-Wilson, Beaulieu on 10:39pm Wed 6 Aug 08
I was the one who discovered the fire. The reason why the Beaulieu crew was not immediately mobilized was due a weakness in the postcode system. When I made the 999 call, I quoted the building's postcode. The operator read back the correct address name, (name of house). I assumed that if they had that information, then I would not have to give specific directions. If you input the postcode into any GPS or Internet map, it locates the house directly.
However, the emergency services appeared to use the postal address provided by the postcode rather than the actual location reference.
This resulted in the all crews being directed towards a location about 8 miles away near Brockenhurst, to a house that didn't exist.
At the time of the call the Beaulieu fire crew were at their station on drill practice. They were one of the last to be called despite being less than 3 minutes from the house with no mobilization delay.
The only way the fire crews actually located the house was because one of the fire crews in the Beaulieu team happens to be our next door neighbour, and recognized the name of the house. Consequently the Beaulieu crew was the first to arrive on scene, and directed the remaining crews that were searching around Brockenhurst. The first crew arrived around 15 mins after my call.
This fire was a particularly fierce one. My family and myself cannot express enough our gratitude and admiration at the bravery, professionalism that all of the fire-fighters displayed. It was a military style operation with zero hesitation and instant action. The red cross, and police were all amazingly kind and helpful. These people know it, but their contribution to the community is deeply valued by all of us, and we thank you.
It was a desperately powerful reminder as to the speed at which fire can travel. Within only a couple of minutes the outbuilding, where the fire started, was engulfed in 30ft of flames of such intensity that many of the bicycles that were in there, simply disappeared. A few minutes later, the listed barn, and the roof of the house was alight. The fire crews saved both the barn and the house with probably only seconds to spare.
The main point that I have learned, amongst many, is that if you smell smoke. There's a good chance that its not a neighbour having a bonfire...I lost a couple of minutes until I realised that something wasn't quite right.
I was the one who discovered the fire. The reason why the Beaulieu crew was not immediately mobilized was due a weakness in the postcode system. When I made the 999 call, I quoted the building's postcode. The operator read back the correct address name, (name of house). I assumed that if they had that information, then I would not have to give specific directions. If you input the postcode into any GPS or Internet map, it locates the house directly.
However, the emergency services appeared to use the postal address provided by the postcode rather than the actual location reference.
This resulted in the all crews being directed towards a location about 8 miles away near Brockenhurst, to a house that didn't exist.
At the time of the call the Beaulieu fire crew were at their station on drill practice. They were one of the last to be called despite being less than 3 minutes from the house with no mobilization delay.
The only way the fire crews actually located the house was because one of the fire crews in the Beaulieu team happens to be our next door neighbour, and recognized the name of the house. Consequently the Beaulieu crew was the first to arrive on scene, and directed the remaining crews that were searching around Brockenhurst. The first crew arrived around 15 mins after my call.
This fire was a particularly fierce one. My family and myself cannot express enough our gratitude and admiration at the bravery, professionalism that all of the fire-fighters displayed. It was a military style operation with zero hesitation and instant action. The red cross, and police were all amazingly kind and helpful. These people know it, but their contribution to the community is deeply valued by all of us, and we thank you.
It was a desperately powerful reminder as to the speed at which fire can travel. Within only a couple of minutes the outbuilding, where the fire started, was engulfed in 30ft of flames of such intensity that many of the bicycles that were in there, simply disappeared. A few minutes later, the listed barn, and the roof of the house was alight. The fire crews saved both the barn and the house with probably only seconds to spare.
The main point that I have learned, amongst many, is that if you smell smoke. There's a good chance that its not a neighbour having a bonfire...I lost a couple of minutes until I realised that something wasn't quite right.
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