FIRE TRAP AT TOP OF TOWER

Shannon News, 24 July 1928, Page 4

FIRE TRAP AT TOP OF TOWER

MAN IN WATER TANK,

To escape from choking fumes anti fierce flames AA’hen a fire broke out at a Sheffield refuse destructor, Mr T. C. Smith 1 had to plunge into a 1000-gallon water tank at the top of a high tower.

Fire broke out at the bottom of the 50ft. water toAA r er, and Mr Smith, the foreman, gallantly rushed into the blazing building, only to find that ‘be was trapped. The only thing for him to do was to climb a ladder and take refuge inside the big water tank at the top. Climb to Rescue. As he climbed the ladded flames rushed after him up the narrow toAver, and he was almost overcome. At last he was able to reach the top. When another workman found him, he was almost on the point of collapse, standing in water up to his neck. He had been there 40 minutes and he had managed to keep conscious by dipping his mouth and nose in the water at intervals.

The workman, Mr T. E. Stennet, climbed up the ladder through dense, choking smoke, and hauled Mr Smith out of the tank; *

He started to carry him .down, but on reaching the second floor nearly collapsed, kqd both Avere rescued by firemen.