25 firefighters save luxury flats as fire destroys music studio

HOMELESS WOMAN FLEES BLAZE by Shannon Price

A HOMELESS woman is recovering after a terrifying ordeal in which a shed she was sleeping in became engulfed by flames.

Smoke from the fire, which destroyed a converted office, art and music studio, could be seen for miles around the scene in Prospect Road, St Albans, yesterday (Thursday).

More than 25 firefighters fought for an hour to control the intense fire which caused substantial damage to a block of luxury flats in Latium Close.

Miraculously Heather Peach, 44, woke up before being overcome by the thick smoke that filled the shed.

She said: 'I thought I had a blocked nose but then I opened my eyes and the flames were all over the walls. The place was like an oven and I thought I was going to die.'

Ms Peach managed to kick open the door and make her escape before fire crews arrived on the scene.

She escaped just seconds before a large conifer tree adjacent to the row of converted sheds also caught alight.

'I got out choking and then all the air was sucked right out of me as the tree went up, and suddenly the fire was twice the size,' said Ms Peach.

Her partner, Mr Jamie Shoot, 28, recounted the terrible moment when he thought his girlfriend was dead.

He said: 'Ironically I had just gone out to buy some matches. I saw the smoke, came back and thought I had lost her. I was running around like a headless chicken trying to find her.'

Prospect Road resident Jo Westmacott, 23, was painting her living room when she noticed the fire. 'I heard some crackling and thought it was a bonfire. When I looked out of the window the sheds and tree were on fire. I dialled 999 as fast as I could.'

St Albans Station Commander Stewart Creighton said: 'We received a call saying that someone was in the shed so two officers wearing breathing apparatus went in to search the premises.'

Two fire engines from St Albans were at the scene but as the extent of the fire became clear, engines were sent from Garston and Hemel Hempstead to assist.

'The flames and heat caused windows in the flats to shatter and allow the thick smoke to enter the building,' said Mr Creighton. 'But, fortunately, no-one was in at the time.'

Ms Peach was taken to hospital for a check-up after suffering the effects of smoke inhalation, but otherwise has no other injuries.

However, the couple lost everything they owned in the fire and faced a night on the streets or in a hostel.

Ms Peach said: 'Stupidly, when I first woke up I started hunting for my handbag, before realising that if I didn't get out then, I never would.'

The owner of the house in Prospect Road was away at the time of the fire. He had allowed the couple to stay in his shed after spotting them sleeping rough in Westminster Lodge.