UPDATED: House destroyed in fire in Buckingham

A pensioner’s home was destroyed by fire after a blaze in Buckingham last night.
A fire involving three houses broke out in Buckingham last nightA fire involving three houses broke out in Buckingham last night
A fire involving three houses broke out in Buckingham last night

Crews were called to Gawcott Road just before 11.30pm to the fire, which affected three properties.

The occupant of the house where the fire started, a 94-year-old woman was taken to Milton Keynes Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Watch commander at Buckingham fire station John Robinson said: “We believe the fire started in the kitchen of the house where there was a large amount of combustible materials.

Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.
Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.

“It was then a case of rapid fire growth through the house and it has been destroyed.

“There was roof and first floor damage to another property and partial damage to the roof and first floor of the house.

“On arrival, we believed there was a man in one of the other properties but when crews broke in they found that house and the third property both empty.”

Commander Robinson added a smoke alarm was fitted in the property where the fire started and added he was ‘confident the smoke alarm raised the alarm in this instance.’

Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.
Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.

Firefighters used a main jet, four hose reels, a turntable ladder and six sets of breathing apparatus.

Crews from Buckingham, Winslow, Bletchley, Great Holm, Brackley and Bicester attended, along with the Operational Support Unit from Broughton and the Incident Command Unit from Aylesbury.

The incident was scaled down overnight and relief crews arrived at 4am and 8.30am, with crews still on scene.

Police and the ambulance service also attended.

Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.
Picture of the scene in Gawcott Road, Buckingham last night. Photos by Soma Taheir.

Officers attended and assisted the fire service with road closures.

Commander Robinson added: “Our advice to people would be to visit the Bucks Fire and Rescue website and see if they have had a Home Fire Risk check and to fit a smoke alarm if they have not already done so.”