Women hurt in Co Down fire
Two women were being treated in hospital today after being rescued from a fire at a bed and breakfast.
One of the women was in a serious condition after suffering severe burns to her body.
Several other guests in the B&B at Downes Road in Newcastle, Co Down, were evacuated without injury by the owner after alarms alerted them.
Fire and Rescue Service station officer Max Sinclair said the seat of the fire had been the 1st floor back bedroom where the two women had been staying.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had entered the building and rescued the women after the alarm was raised soon after midnight, he said.
“The two girls were trapped in the room. One has sustained severe burns to parts of her body.”
He added: “One of them was conscious and the other semi-conscious when they were rescued. I can’t commend the crews enough over their quick actions, they did a tremendous job.”
The bedroom the women had been in was badly damaged by the fire, said the station officer, and other parts of the first floor smoke damaged.
An examination of the scene to discover the cause of the fire was being carried out later.
