Man in 70s survives bungalow fire in Southery

Fire at bungalow in Southery: Pictures David Bale (Image: Archant)

The man, who was in his 70s but has not been named, suffered smoke inhalation in the blaze at Southery, near Downham Market, on Saturday night.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn but later discharged.

He was not at his home yesterday but all the windows and doors were left open to allow some air into the property.

Grant Cotterell, fire station manager at King's Lynn, was the officer in charge at the scene.

He said: 'Our fire crews got there first. By the time I got there it was a fully developed fire. It started in the kitchen, The cause is still under investigation. A man in his 70s, who lives on his own, was the only person there.

'He had an automatic fire alarm which was linked to a care centre, which alerted the fire service. He was suffering from smoke inhalation, but was not in a serious condition, and was taken to hospital in King's Lynn, and released that evening.

'The fire damage was mainly confined to the room where it started, the kitchen.

'But there was smoke damage and water damage elsewhere in the building, due to a pipe bursting, and the roof was badly damaged.

'The man had shut his doors, including the kitchen door, which kept the damage to a minimum, and stopped it from spreading to the rest of the building. There's no electricity there now, so it cannot be lived in at present.'

He said the man's son was in the area and was able to look after his father.

Emergency services, including fire and ambulance crews, were called to the property, just off the A10, around 6.30pm.

Two fire engines, from Downham Market and Methwold, and the aerial ladder platform from King's Lynn, which was used to gain access to the roof, were at the scene.

Have you been the recent victim of a house fire? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk