Glasgow couple ran into burning building to alert residents

Angela and Jim Ward had been on their way home from Jim’s 50th birthday dinner at around 7.45pm on July 9 when they spotted smoke coming from a flat block on Colston Road in the north of the city.

Angela explained that they sprung right into action after realising that a property was on fire, phoning 999 and trying to gain entry to the building.

Colston Road fire (Image: Angela Ward) The 47-year-old said that within minutes of arriving the situation had “escalated quite quickly” from just smoke to flames coming out of a window.

Angela said: “We were coming back from the Delhi Darbar just up the road as it was my husband’s 50th birthday that day.

“It was just white smoke so it looked like it had just started as we were driving past. We initially thought it looked a bit smokey and then we slowed down and thought ‘no that actually looks like it’s a fire’.

“We pulled in across from where the flat was and I phoned 999 to report the fire. I think the fire brigade was there within three or four minutes and in that time it had gone from white smoke to full flames coming out of the building so it escalated quite quickly.

“Before that, we were pressing all the buttons. A girl who had already managed to get access was chapping all the doors on the bottom floor and she saw us trying to get in so she opened the door.

“We started going up all the floors and chapping all the doors to try and get folk to come out. Both my husband and myself work in the NHS so I don’t think it occurred to us not to go and help.

“We eventually had to start coming out because when the house that was on fire's door got opened the smoke started filling the close.”

The aftermath of a fire at a flat block on Colston Road (Image: Mark Gibson)

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed that four fire engines were sent to the scene to tackle the blaze.

Before they arrived a good Samaritan who Angela hailed as a “hero” turned up and knocked down the door of the flat where the fire had started to rescue the occupant from inside.

(Image: Mark Gibson)

The Milton resident added: “The man arrived and asked what was happening and we told him ‘we think there’s still somebody in that flat that’s on fire’ so he was trying to open the door and it wouldn’t open so he tried to knock it in.

“When we got access the occupant was unaware that the house was on fire. I’m gutted I never caught the guy’s name because he was definitely the hero of the story.

“He went into the flat and then he and my husband helped the person out. We didn’t think twice about it we just thought ‘we’ve got to get folk out’.

“The pair of us just instantly jumped out of the car at the same time so it never occurred to us that, that wouldn’t be the thing to do.

“It was a team effort with the gentlemen and woman who was one of the first people on the scene.

"It was natural for us to help but I don’t know if it was natural for the other two to help, I think they deserve more of the credit.”

(Image: Mark Gibson)

Following the incident four people were passed into the care of paramedics. It is understood that they did not require further treatment.

The blaze was extinguished by fire crews.

An SFRS spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 7.43pm on Tuesday, July 9, to reports of a fire at Colston Road, Glasgow.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances to the scene where crews extinguished the flames.

“Four people were passed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service but did not require further treatment.

“Firefighters left after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Police say there are “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding the fire.

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: “Around 8pm on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, police received a report of a fire at a property on Colston Road, Glasgow.

“The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a number of residents were evacuated.

“There are no suspicious circumstances.”