COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Three people, including an elderly woman, were taken to hospital after a serious fire at a block of flats in Coventry on Monday night.



The blaze happened in the landing of a two-storey block of flats in Weymouth Close, Willenhall, at about 11.30pm, causing damage to two top-floor flats.

Fire crews from Binley and Radford fire stations were sent to the scene.

Firefighters rescued one elderly woman from a first floor window using an extension ladder and she was taken to hospital.

A man and a woman were also taken to hospital.

Three ambulances and an incident support officer were sent to the scene to take all three casualties to Coventry’s University Hospital in Walsgrave for smoke inhalation.

Crews tackled the flames using six breathing apparatus, two hose reels and one covering jet.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived they found a two-storey block of flats on fire.

"The two flats on the top floor suffered extensive damage.

“An elderly female from one flat and a young couple from another flat were taken to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire with smoke inhalation; thankfully their condition was not serious.

Coventry flats fire treated as suspicious

A fire in a block of flats in Coventry in which a 52-year-old woman had to be rescued is being treated as suspicious.

The fire happened at about 23:30 GMT on 14 November in Weymouth Close, in the Willenhall area of the city.

Police said nobody was seriously injured although several residents, including the woman, were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

A 23 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

He has been bailed pending further inquiries.

A police spokesman said residents have since been rehomed because of the "extensive damage" caused to the flats.

Sgt Jon Fanti said: "This incident could have easily resulted in fatalities and we are appealing for any witnesses to come forward."