A FAMILY of nine from Nuneaton who almost lost their lives in a fire are to have the story of their dramatic rescue told to the nation.
David and Samantha Martin, their six children and the youngsters’ aunt Kimberley Wilson were forced to flee their home in Fitton Street in the middle of the night after a tumble drier burst into flames.
If it wasn’t for the action of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service who helped get everyone out safely, the family could have perished in the blaze.
The events that unfolded on that fateful night will be relived for a BBC1 documentary, called 'Real Rescues', screened later this month.
The programme will be highlighting what firefighters did to free them from the burning terrace while also spreading key safety messages such as not using electrical appliances over night and always having an escape route planned.
As revealed in the Nuneaton News back in November of last year, the three adults and six children, which included two sets of twins aged three and 18 months at the time of the incident, had to be freed from a rear bedroom window.
The terrified family were trapped and had to raise the alarm with firefighters using a mobile phone.
Thankfully the terraced property had working smoke alarms or fire crews say the situation could have been much worse as the blaze broke out while the family was asleep.
Four crews from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service's Nuneaton and Bedworth Fires Stations fought the flames using two breathing apparatus, a hose reel and a covering jet.
The family suffered smoke inhalation but were otherwise unharmed, but lost everything and escaped only in what they were wearing at the time.
As news of the family’s plight spread, everyone from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to Chilvers Coton Infant School offered donations to get them back on their feet.
A Facebook site was set up and soon the family were swamped with items from clothes and toys for the little ones right through to a cooker, fridge freezer and even a new tumble drier.
Real Rescues will air on Wednesday, June 27.
