Home / Disasters and Accidents / Disabled Woman Trapped in Flat Fire: Exit Fears Emerge
Disabled Woman Trapped in Flat Fire: Exit Fears Emerge
26 Feb
Summary
- Disabled woman trapped in her council flat due to lack of suitable emergency exit.
- Fire crews extinguished blaze; one person hospitalized, six treated at scene.
- Family calls for 'escape point' for disabled tenants after terrifying ordeal.
A disabled woman's terrifying ordeal inside her council flat during a fire has highlighted critical safety concerns regarding emergency exits. Susan McLaughlin, who has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) affecting her mobility, was unable to evacuate her Dumbarton ground-floor property when a fire broke out in a nearby communal drying room.
With smoke blocking the main entrance and her condition preventing escape through a window, Susan was trapped inside until fire crews arrived. Neighbors provided crucial assistance by holding her face towards an open window to aid her breathing during the terrifying wait. One person was hospitalized, and six others received treatment at the scene following the blaze.
The family of Susan and her husband Frank is now urging West Dunbartonshire Council to install effective escape points for disabled tenants. They argue that the current "disabled access home" was effectively a trap due to the lack of alternative exits. The council has stated it is assessing the property and the tenant's evolving needs to ensure suitability.
