Knutsford woman, 95, rescued from blaze as parked cars block roads

Thankfully, a 95-year-old woman was safely rescued from the fierce blaze by a neighbour, and led to safety.

Flames ripped through the roof of her dormer bungalow on Mereheath Park at around 11.30am on Sunday.

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Two people were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

Smoke seeps through the roof of a dormer bungalow on Mereheath Park (Image: Public)

Charlotte Brennan, of Mereheath Park, said: “It was upsetting to watch someone’s house burn and firefighters struggling to get through.

“Flames were coming out the back of the dormer. There was a big hole in the roof.

“Smoke was coming out of the bedroom window.

“The locals were very helpful. Everyone was out in the street.

Cars parked on the pavement obstructed emergency crews called to a serious house fire (Image: Public)

“But there were cars parked on both sides of the road, many on the pavement.

“Visitors coming to the Makers Market had just abandoned their cars.

“We couldn’t get in or out of our homes.”

Crews used four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the blaze.

Cars parked on both sides of the road made it difficult for fire engines to get through (Image: Public)

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews dealt with a significant fire in the roof space of a dormer bungalow.

“No injuries were reported but the fire caused some disruption with local road closures.

“Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used two hose reel jets and the aerial ladder to tackle the blaze.

“They also removed roof tiles to reach the seat of the blaze.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “The fire involved the first floor of a dormer bungalow which was well alight.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.

“Police were called to the scene to assist with a number of road closures which were put into place while crews dealt with the incident.”

Charlotte said: “Thankfully, local ladies helped the 95-year-old woman out.

“The main thing is she got out safely and wasn’t hurt in the fire.”

Residents vented their anger about roads being obstructed on social media.

One woman said: “It was always going to happen at some point. Fire engines can’t get through to a house fire due to cars parked on the pavement.

“Luckily they reached the elderly lady in time.”

Another woman said: "Thank God the lady got out safe. Appalling."

A man added: “Parked cars are becoming a serious issue. Shaw Drive is an absolute joke.”