12 May 2008

Fatal fire in Netherfield

On 11th May 2008, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Mobilising and Communication Centre received an emergency call stating that a person was trapped in a fire in a remote cottage in Netherfield Place Farm, Netherfield Hill. The call was taken at 18:49 and described a serious fire on the ground floor of the two-storey property.

Fire crews from Battle and Hastings Bohemia Road community fire stations were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival at the incident four firefighters, wearing specialist breathing apparatus, entered the property to undertake search and rescue operations. Firefighters tackled the blaze using hose reel jets. The fire was contained in one room but smoke damage had been caused throughout the building.

Despite the continued efforts of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Sussex Police and Sussex Ambulance, one man unfortunately died at the scene of the incident. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service would like to convey their sincere condolences to his relatives and friends.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Fire Investigation Officers working in partnership with Forensic Scientists are still currently investigating the incident to establish the cause of the fire.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service can offer free home safety visits and smoke alarms to homes and businesses in the County of East Sussex and the City of Brighton & Hove. For further information contact East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety Team on 0800 1777069.