Family of four rescued after being trapped in Oswestry flat by blazing bins
A family of four were trapped in a flat in a Shropshire town when blazing bins blocked their escape route from their home.
Police are investigating the fire in an alleyway off Cross Street in Oswestry which broke out in the early hours of today.
Fire chiefs say the incident, the second in the area in recent weeks, could have had tragic consequences.
The family, including two young children, were alerted to a fire by a smoke alarm in their flat above the Subway cafe and takeaway.
But when they tried to get out they found the door to their flat blocked by the rubbish bin that was on fire in the Clawdd Du alley.
A fire crew from the town responding to 999 calls about the bin fire heard the family shouting for help from a fire floor window.
More fire crews were mobilised.
Station manager Adam Matthews said: "One crew rescued the family from the window with other firefighters dealt with the bin fire."
