Couple die in flat fire

Oct 8 2007 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A MARRIED couple were killed in a house fire yesterday – just months after tying the knot. Neighbours on Wharton Street, South Shields, yesterday told of their shock at losing what one woman described as "the perfect couple".

While the pair are yet to be named, the woman is thought to be in her mid- twenties while her partner was said to be in his forties.

The fire service is still investigating the cause, although police said that a cigarette was likely to have started the blaze which was reported shortly before 1am.

A police spokeswoman said: "The two occupants were recovered by fire service personnel. However both were pronounced dead at the scene.

"The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the fire and rescue service but it would seem that this was an accidental fire caused by a cigarette that has not been discarded appropriately."

Assistant chief fire officer Dave Simpson said: "The incident was initially reported to the police because the old lady downstairs had heard some shouting and thought something was amiss.

"The police then contacted us and we broke in. We found the man and then the woman and got them both out.

"There were no signs of life but we worked on them for quite some time, performing CPR for at least 20 minutes. The ambulance service turned up but unfortunately there was nothing they or we could do."

Mr Simpson confirmed reports that the house had not been not fitted with a smoke alarm.

He continued: "The really tragic thing was there was no smoke alarm fitted in the house. It’s really unfortunate because it’s one of those things that we keep pushing. In my opinion they would have had a much better chance of surviving had the alarm been there."

Concerned neighbours gathered in the street after three fire engines, several police cars and two ambulances arrived at the scene and they gradually realised the seriousness of the situation.

A woman living on Wharton Street who did not want to be identified said: "They just got married one or two months ago.

"It’s just awful. The young girl is only about 26 and her previous partner died last year. She was such a friendly girl – she always had a smile on her face. I saw her just the other day and she seemed so happy."

A 45-year-old woman, who also lives nearby, added: "They were the perfect couple as far as I could tell. She was so young and it’s a real tragedy.

"I was woken by the sound of the fire engines and banging on the door. You could smell the smoke. They brought him out first and they were working on him for what seemed like forever.

"Then they did the same with her but you could tell, it was taking so long, they had to be dead."