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Eight saved as shop fire spreads | Eight saved as shop fire spreads |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Eight people had to be rescued from their flats above a shop in Kent after a fire broke out. | Eight people had to be rescued from their flats above a shop in Kent after a fire broke out. |
The blaze spread from the Magpie's Nest store, in Palace Street, Canterbury, to two upper floors of the building. | The blaze spread from the Magpie's Nest store, in Palace Street, Canterbury, to two upper floors of the building. |
The flats' residents were hanging out of windows but they were led to safety down ladders. One person suffered the effects of breathing in smoke. | The flats' residents were hanging out of windows but they were led to safety down ladders. One person suffered the effects of breathing in smoke. |
Police and fire teams are investigating the cause of the blaze, which is currently being treated as suspicious. | Police and fire teams are investigating the cause of the blaze, which is currently being treated as suspicious. |
The Magpie's Nest is a gift shop which has been trading in Palace Street for more than 15 years. | The Magpie's Nest is a gift shop which has been trading in Palace Street for more than 15 years. |
Owner David Cleavely, who lives outside Canterbury, told the BBC News website he was called about the fire at 0520 GMT on Saturday. | Owner David Cleavely, who lives outside Canterbury, told the BBC News website he was called about the fire at 0520 GMT on Saturday. |
We knew we had to get the people out very quickly John Saynor, Kent Fire and Rescue Service | |
He said he and his wife Diane were "naturally very upset". | He said he and his wife Diane were "naturally very upset". |
Mr Cleavely said the shop had been completely burnt out and their stock of porcelain dolls and collectable teddy bears had been destroyed. | Mr Cleavely said the shop had been completely burnt out and their stock of porcelain dolls and collectable teddy bears had been destroyed. |
He added that his wife was distraught at losing "her love". | He added that his wife was distraught at losing "her love". |
"It's been a hobby for her as well as a business," he said. | "It's been a hobby for her as well as a business," he said. |
John Saynor, from Canterbury fire station, said had the flats not had working smoke alarms they "could have been looking at eight fatalities". | John Saynor, from Canterbury fire station, said had the flats not had working smoke alarms they "could have been looking at eight fatalities". |
Mr Saynor added the occupants, and a rabbit, were all out of the building within seven minutes of fire crews arriving. | Mr Saynor added the occupants, and a rabbit, were all out of the building within seven minutes of fire crews arriving. |
"We were concerned because there was smoke getting into the upper floors, so we knew we had to get the people out very quickly," he said. | "We were concerned because there was smoke getting into the upper floors, so we knew we had to get the people out very quickly," he said. |
"It was one of the more dramatic rescues I've dealt with because there were so many people to get out in such a short time." | "It was one of the more dramatic rescues I've dealt with because there were so many people to get out in such a short time." |
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