Unconscious man saved from smoke-filled flat

Saturday, 11 October 2025 at 23:56

A man, who was found unconscious, has been rescued from flat filled with smoke in St Helier.

Jersey Fire and Rescue were called out to a terraced building - housing three flats - on Halkett Place, after reports of the smell of smoke and an alarm, at around 20:30 on Saturday, 11 October 2025.

Firefighters were unable to get into the building through the front door and had to gain access to the flat via a ladder.

Once they climbed through a window, they found a man unconscious in a smoke-filled room.

They rescued the man and immediately gave him first aid until the paramedics arrived and took him to hospital, concerned about smoke inhalation.

A small fire was discovered in the cooking area of the flat and it was extinguished using a hose reel.

However, Fire and Rescue say this was not an easy rescue.

Watch Commander Richard Ryan says this incident highlights several important safety messages.

“Firstly, access for fire appliances was made difficult due to vehicles parked in restricted areas - it’s vital that access routes are kept clear at all times so crews can reach emergencies without delay.

“Secondly, having a working smoke alarm made a real difference here.

“It alerted the occupants and ensured a quick call to the Fire and Rescue Service, allowing us to reach the scene before the situation worsened.

“Finally, this serves as a reminder of the dangers of leaving cooking unattended.

“Even a small fire can develop quickly and lead to serious smoke inhalation or damage.”