Emergency services response to Perth fire praised

Feb 9 2010 By Johnathon Menzies

ELDERLY residents in Perth’s St Johnstoun’s Nursing Home had a narrow escape yesterday morning after a fire broke out in the building.

The blaze started in the bedroom of a female resident at the Barossa Place property at around 6am.

A pair of fire engines from Perth – later joined by teams from Coupar Angus and Dunkeld – were on the scene “within four minutes”, according to local station manger Rab Middlemiss.

Mr Middlemiss said yesterday: “Officers from Red Watch entered the building wearing breathing apparatus and, after locating the small fire, extinguished it using a hose reel – containing the blaze within the room.

“Nursing home staff thankfully managed to remove the elderly lady prior to our arrival.”

A combination of on-site staff, ambulance crews and firefighters moved a total of 12 residents to a safe part of the building whilst the operation took place.

After being checked over by paramedics, one resident and two of the facility’s employees were taken to Perth Royal Infirmary and received treatment for smoke inhalation.

St Johnstoun’s staff member Sarah Swan praised the emergency services for their quick response.

She said: “They dealt with the situation very quickly and everybody at St Johnstoun’s would like to thank them for that.”

Station manager Middlemiss added: “Dealing with incidences inside nursing homes are often high risk.

“Many of the residents are frail and a small amount of smoke can result serious injuries.

“Only when we were fully satisfied there was no further risk were the residents allowed to return to their rooms.”

The nearby road had to be closed but was later re-opened to traffic, according to a spokesperson for Tayside Police.

A investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire.