A HEROIC woman ran through billowing smoke to grab four children and bring them to safety after a major fire broke out in Barrow.
More than a dozen properties were evacuated on Thursday evening after firefighters battled a major blaze in Salthouse Road.
Crews from across Cumbria were called to the incident which affected multiple properties at the intersection of Salthouse Road and Marsh Street, several of which have since been deemed ‘uninhabitable’.
At the height of the fire eight properties were affected, and a total of 13 properties were evacuated for the residents' safety.
Because this incident required a multi-agency response, a major incident was declared at around 7pm.
Shipyard worker Carolanne McInally was on her way back from work when she spotted smoke coming out of a property on Salthouse Road.
READ MORE: Major incident declared after fire on Salthouse Road in Barrow
After calling the fire brigade, she, alongside another couple, stopped to help any neighbouring properties affected by the smoke.
“Within minutes of being there, the back window of the property had fallen off and flames were coming out,” the 34-year-old mum-of-two said.
“I thought we need to evict these people as there was flames coming out the window – it was scaring me.
“I knew there was a family living next door and thought I need to start knocking on doors and get people out.”
As smoke began filling Salthouse Road, Carolanne and others raced along the street to warn residents about the fire.
“I knocked on the first door and they were petrified when I barged into the house shouting fire,” she said.
“They didn’t even know a fire had broken out. I just grabbed all four of their kids and put them in my car. The smoke was so bad at that point, I couldn’t see my hand in front of me and my car was filling with smoke so I just had to drive off.
“I held the kids close to me and covered them with a jacket. One of them was just a couple of months old – they were all under five. I could barely see to drive because of all the smoke.
“Luckily everyone was fine, I’m glad we got out when we did.”
Carolanne and the children were all checked over by paramedics after suffering from smoke inhalation.
“I was in the ambulance for a good few hours getting checked over,” she said.
READ MORE: Dozen properties evacuated and some 'uninhabitable' after Barrow fire
“We made sure the kids were all checked over first. We were concerned about the baby but luckily everyone was fine.
“I felt like I couldn’t breathe – I couldn’t stop coughing.”
Despite her courageous efforts, Carolanne doesn’t consider herself a hero.
“I did what I expect someone would do for me in that situation,” she said.
“I did what any person should do. I didn’t even think twice.”
And she said the family are ‘beyond grateful’ for her heroic actions that day.
“They could not be more grateful,” Carolanne said.
As of yesterday afternoon, fire crews were still on the scene to dampen down and prevent a re-ignition.
A spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue said that investigations, dampening, and structural reviews are expected to continue.
Fire investigators have been unable to gain access due to the structural integrity of several of the properties.
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