FOR the second time in less than a month flames have engulfed a home a short distance from Monmouth town centre. The first fire saw a property off the Hereford Road totally devastated by flames. The occupier and his dog were able to escape the flames. Now, in the second blaze, flames lit the night sky as they leapt skywards from an ultra modern housing development at Monnow Keep, right in the heart of Monmouth. Mr and Mrs Bob Adwick live in the top apartment in Monnow Keep, which was completed about two years ago. The Beacon understands athat Mrs Adwick was in the property, getting a Valentine's Day meal for her husband, when the fire broke out. Within minutes the property was a blazing inferno. The emergency services sealed off the scene of the fire and all the residents of the apartment block were evacuated. Monmouth Firefighters were joined by crews from Hereford and Worcester and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Services to deal with the blaze at Monnow Keep. A statement from the County Fire Serice said: "Crews were called to a fire in the flat at 18.22 last night. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent a hydraulic platform and a water bowser to the incident in addition to the water ladder from Monmouth and the other Fire and Rescue Services' crews from across the border. "Six firefighters in breathing apparatus searched the premises, and extinguished the blaze and everyone evacuated the building successfully". Watch Manager Simon Brown from Monmouth Fire Station said, "A candle had been left unattended and fell over lighting the sofa next to it, this resulted in a serious fire. "Luckily, the lady who lives at the flat got out unharmed, but it could have been a lot worse and this acts as a stark reminder of the dangers of candles in the home. "We would advise that you should never leave a naked flame or candle unattended; it can be extremely hazardous, especially if they are out of sight. Fires can take hold of an entire room within minutes." "In this instance the smoke detector activated, alerting residents to the fire, however we would advise everyone to check their smoke detectors every week to make sure they are in working order. "We'll be carrying out a 'hot strike' in the area over the weekend which means we'll be talking to local people about home fire safety and reminding them of the measures they can take to avoid a fire in their own homes." South Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks and will fit smoke alarms and offer essential safety advice at your home all for free. Call 0800 169 1234 and request a visit from your local firefighters today. A local resident, who lives close to the fire damaged property, said the scene had been amazing on Thursday night. "Watching the firemen using the hydraulaic platforms, to get above the flames, was an incredible sight" he said. The maintenance contract for the development is held by Torbay Management Services, but a spokesman for the firm was unwilling to comment on the scale of the damage caused by the blaze. However, The Beacon understands that all the properties in the select development were damaged, by both fire and water. It appears all the residents were found temporary, alternative hotel accommodation on Thursday night.
