‘It was too much to tackle’ - rescuer recounts fatal blaze at King’s Lynn home
Liam Stevens (left) and Kirk Claxton, who helped save a woman from a house fire on Alice Fisher Close in King's Lynn. Picture: Matthew Usher.
A young west Norfolk man who helped rescue a mother from a house fire which killed her son has described the moment he entered the burning building.
Emergency services on the scene of the house fire on Alice Fisher Crescent, North Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt
One man, in his 40s, named locally as Chris Flegg, died in the blaze while his mother, Carol, was taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.
Liam Stevens, who works for engineering company Lynnmoore, was the first person to sound the alarm after spotting the first-floor bedroom fire on Alice Fisher Crescent in King's Lynn at 6.20am on January 14.
The 23-year-old, who lives nearby, saw flames through a window above the front door. He banged on the door but when there was no answer he called the fire brigade.
With another neighbour, Kirk Claxton, he gained entry to the building and found Ms Flegg in a downstairs bedroom in the conservatory.
The fire in King's Lynn. Picture: Lee Bunting - Credit: Archant
He said: 'When we were helping to get her to her feet we asked if there was anyone else in the house. I ran to the staircase and at that point it was so heavy with smoke at the top of the stairs, it was too much to tackle.'
With Mr Claxton, he coaxed Ms Flegg up and firefighters took over.
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Mr Stevens said: 'We both said it was an emotional time for us, not at the time but when the dust settled. It wasn't a brave thing we did, it was stupid. We both give our condolences to the family.'
The engineer said the pair had shared an 'instant bond' over the shocking experience. Investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
