A quick-thinking Margate decorator sprung into action today (September 17) to put out a housefire in Broadstairs.
Gus Crow, of GC Decorating Services, had been rained off from a job and was in Fairfield Road when he became aware of the kitchen blaze.
He said: “I saw my friend and pulled over to talk to him when he said ‘there’s a fire.’
“I looked and there was smoke coming out of a window so I ran up there and checked to see if anyone was inside.
“I could see all these flames in the kitchen, the window was open and smoke was billowing out.
“I said to the next door neighbour get me a hosepipe and I put it through the window and put the fire out before the fire service arrived.
“I got a little bit sooty. Luckily there was no-one in there, the owners or renters turned up (while it was being put out).”
The dad-of-four joked it was “all in a day’s work’” and confessed he has always wanted to be a fireman!
Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two crews were sent to the scene at 1.20pm, extinguished remaining hotspots and used a positive pressure ventilation fan to clear the property of smoke.
The KFRS Volunteer Response Team was also in attendance to support affected residents. Kent Police also attended.
There are no reported injuries and the cause is not yet known although Gus says he understands it may have been due to something on the cooker.
Crews finished at the scene at 2.20pm.
