Watch: dramatic 999 call by Birmingham mum as high rise flat catches fire

A Birmingham mum said she, her partner and her young son owe their lives to a sprinkler system after it doused out a fire in their high-rise flat.

A dramatic audio of the 999 call she made to Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control has been released, painting a picture of how the control room operator relayed fire survival guidance as fire crews made their way to the scene.

The incident took place in the early hours of April 12 at the 20-storey council-run Salisbury Tower in Ladywood, Birmingham. Hana Woldemara, 29, who lives at Salisbury Tower, thanked Birmingham City Council who fitted the system and the firefighters who came to the family’s rescue.

Around 25 firefighters had responded to the Birmingham high-rise shortly after 2am in the early hours of April 12. While the crews made their way to the scene, smoke started to fill their home.

The family were given fire survival guidance over the phone by Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control. It is believed the fire was started by an electric bike, left on charge in the hallway of their flat. The flames cut off the family’s only escape route.

They sought safety on the balcony of their building, accessed through the bedroom, after being advised by the call handler to remain there until the first fire crew arrived.

A fire engine from Ladywood fire station arrived within three minutes of being mobilised. It was joined by three further fire engines, a 4x4 brigade response vehicle, and a hydraulic aerial platform.

Crews arrived to find the fire had been successfully extinguished by the sprinklers and led the three to safety before the famiyl was taken to hospital for checks after breathing in smoke.

Hana has shared her story during the National Fire Chief Council’s dedicated ‘Sprinkler Week 2023’, which educates communities, businesses and local authorities about the life-saving benefits of the automatic systems.

Speaking in her native Amharic language a month on from the ordeal, Hana said: “The sprinklers saved a lot of lives, and even the tower might have been on fire if it was not for the sprinklers.

“We couldn’t get out. We were on the tenth floor. It was too high. I can tell you for sure that the sprinklers saved our lives. It is brilliant they were installed in the first place.”

Simon Barry, Deputy Chief Fire Officer of West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), had said: “Sprinklers save lives - as this incident very clearly demonstrates. It could have ended tragically had the council-fitted system not kicked in.

“Sprinklers are invaluable. They save lives and reduce injuries, protect firefighters who respond to fires, and reduce the amount of fire damage to property and the environment.”

DCFO Barry had added: “Without the sprinklers, the family could have been very seriously injured or worse. The fire blocked their only way out. The bike battery produced a lot of smoke and fumes, which quickly spread through the flat.

“Very fortunately, the sprinkler system did its job. One of the sprinkler ‘heads’ was fitted very close to where the bike was being charged, so the flames were quickly extinguished.”