Video shows elderly man inside flat block seemingly oblivious to fire

Terrifying video shows elderly man inside a block of retirement flats seemingly oblivious to fire engulfing the floor above him as firefighters rescue 62 people

• Clip shows man remaining at window for a few seconds as blaze rages over him
• In total, 62 people were evacuated from the building in Bournemouth, Dorset
• This included 21 who had to be rescued, with three treated for smoke inhalation
• The cause of the blaze is not yet known, but is not believed to be suspicious 

This is the terrifying moment an elderly man appears through a window of a block of retirement flats seemingly oblivious to a huge fire engulfing the floor above him.

Footage shows the resident remaining at the window for a few seconds as the blaze rages over him and others prepare to evacuate.

In total, 62 people were evacuated from the building in Bournemouth, Dorset, as the fire took hold of the top floor flats early this morning.

This included 21 elderly occupants who had to be rescued by fire crews, with three of them treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Around 60 firefighters tackled the blaze after being called shortly before 7.15am, for which the cause is not yet known, but is not believed to be suspicious.

Footage shows the resident (circled) remaining at the window for a few seconds as the blaze rages over him and others prepare to evacuate the block of flats in Bournemouth, Dorset

In total, 62 people were evacuated from the building in Bournemouth, Dorset, as the fire took hold of the top floor flats (pictured: the resident seen 

One woman who lives in a home behind the block of flats recalled waking up to the sound of ‘popping noises outside’.

Ellie Milner told the BBC: ‘We jumped up and looked out the window and saw this massive flame – the smell is astounding.’

The fire is now contained, but the road remains closed as firefighters continue to work throughout the day.

A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: ‘Multiple crews from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have been tackling a roof fire in a block of flats on Poole Road, Bournemouth this morning

‘We were called at 7.12am to a roof fire at a block of flats.

‘We have crews in attendance from Westbourne, Springbourne, Redhill Park, Ferndown, Ringwood, Wimborne, New Milton and Burley, as well as two from Christchurch, and three from Poole.

Emergency services are pictured at the scene. An investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out later today

An aerial ladder tackles the fire which left 21 elderly occupants needing to be rescued by fire crews, with three of them treated at the scene for smoke inhalation

Fire crews are pictured at the scene as residents were evacuated from the building in Bournemouth, Dorset, following a blaze which took hold of the top floor flats

An elderly woman is pictured at the scene. The fire service said residents are being offered shelter in a nearby Premier Inn hotel

‘There is also an aerial ladder platform from Westbourne and a support appliance from Hamworthy. Approximately 60 firefighters attended.

‘A total of 62 residents have been evacuated from the affected part of the building, with 21 rescued by firefighters.

‘Three people have suffered smoke inhalation and have been treated at the scene by South Western Ambulance Service.’

People gather behind a police cordon after the blaze, to which firefighters were called shortly before 7.15am this morning

Around 60 firefighters tackled the blaze after being called shortly before 7.15am, for which the cause is not yet known, but is not believed to be suspicious

An investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out later today and residents are being offered shelter in the meantime, said the fire service.

The spokeswoman added: ‘The nearby Premier Inn hotel has been providing shelter for those displaced, and officers from BCP Council are also attending to support those needing help.

‘The fire is now contained but firefighting operations are likely to continue for much of the day. Poole Road is currently closed and will remain so for some hours.

‘A fire investigation will be carried out later today but there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.’

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