FIREFIGHTERS are urging people to check their smoke alarms following a house fire in Ross-on-Wye this afternoon.

Fire crews from Ross and Fownhope used breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras and one hose reel jet to tackle the fire at a property on Ledbury Road.

A fire service spokesperson said: "The occupier was at home and immediately dialled 999 after smelling smoke.

"The first crews were confronted by a well developed fire in the kitchen, which was spreading rapidly up the stairs towards the open windows on the landing and first floor.

"One person has been given precautionary checks by paramedics after inhaling some smoke, but did not need treatment.

"There were no working smoke alarms at this property, so had this fire started overnight, with no early warning, this could have been a very different ending."

Fire crews remained on scene to dampen down the property, with police closing the B4234 Ledbury Road between the junction with Three Crosses Road and the A40 roundabout.

The road has since reopened.

 

Photos by Ross-on-Wye Fire Station.