Fatal fire witness speaks of harrowing experience (From Enfield Independent)

Fatal Edmonton Martin Close fire witness speaks of harrowing experience

1:11pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

A woman who witnessed a fatal fire in Edmonton on Tuesday has spoken of her harrowing experience.

Bernadette Devoy, who lives in Dunnock Close, saw paramedics attempt to save a 48-year-old man who had suffered severe burns from the fire in his first-floor flat in Martin Close.

The man was airlifted to hospital but died from severe burns and smoke inhalation at 12.30am the following morning.

Ms Devoy, whose home is just metres away from Dunnock Close, walked to the scene after she heard the first fire engines arrive just after 5pm.

She said: “I could see the building from my window. I heard a fire engine and looked out of the window and thought nothing of it then lots more arrived.

“As I came out, the fire fighters were coming out of his flat. There was somebody on the floor and there was a poor girl standing there who went into shock.

“He was in a very bad state – they were wrapping him up in cling film, he had been badly burnt.”

She said the sight was shocking, and many people gathered in front of the property to watch the scene unfold.

Police ushered people away from the building and Ms Devoy tried to pacify the young girl who was crying from seeing the man's injuries.

Paramedics spent approximately 40 minutes treating the victim before he was airlifted to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

However, Ms Devoy said his injuries were so extreme that she did not expect him to survive the night. 

She said: “It is very sad to hear that he died but I didn’t think he was going to make it.”

Detectives quizzed her about the man’s identity, which is not yet known, in order to track down his next of kin.

She suggested they should look for evidence inside his home, but according to Ms Devoy - the fire had gutted the inside of the flat.

She said damage to the front of the block one to nine is not very visible, although there is evidence of the fire from behind.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, though there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances at this time.

A post mortem will be scheduled in due course.