A MOTHER and daughter have visited a fire station to thank the team that saved their lives.

On the evening of April 14 this year, Vicky McLennan and her nine-year-old daughter, Isobelle, were trapped in the top floor attic room of their home.

A fire had started in the airing cupboard and spread quickly, trapping the pair, along with a man on the first floor of the property on Wharfe View, Pool-in-Wharfedale. Luckily, Vicky had a mobile phone with her and her 999 call to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Control Room saw fire crews from Rawdon, Cookridge and Otley mobilised. The call operator, Helen Cullen, gave Vicky fire survival advice over the phone as the fire engines rushed to the scene.

Neighbours, meanwhile, had spotted smoke coming from the building and managed to rescue the man. When firefighters reached them, Vicky and Isobelle were both unconscious and had stopped breathing, and needed life-saving first aid before being taken to hospital. The actions of those involved in the rescue were officially recognised at Otley Fire Station when a Letter of Appreciation was presented to them.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Area Manager Nick Smith said: “I was honoured to be able to pay tribute to everybody involved in this rescue, from the neighbours who put themselves in danger to the control room operators who provided vital guidance to Vicky and her daughter.

“And finally I commend the tremendous efforts of the fire crews who took quick and decisive action to rescue Vicky and Isobelle and then provided life-saving treatment until the arrival of the ambulance crews.

“It was great for us all to see Vicky and her daughter healthy and well and reunited with the people who saved their lives.”

Vicky, 42, added: “It really means a lot to me to be able to thank the firefighters and the neighbours who came to our help that night. It could have been a lot different, we were very, very lucky. I appreciate that I am still here to tell the tale and having listened to the 999 call, it is quite distressing. It has been quite emotional being reunited with everyone. I just thank God it ended well and Isobelle is well.”

Those commended included firefighters from Cookridge, Rawdon and Otley - including David Cheesbrough, who carried Isobelle to safety - and operators Helen Cullen and Viv Horton, and neighbours Simon Jackson, Lee Wright and Steven Rowan.