Date: 12th January, 2017
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is continuing to offer support to communities in the Manchester Road area of Swindon, following a fatal house fire in November.
The blaze, which started just before midnight on 6 November, saw two people lose their lives – 30 year old Sharon Alvares died at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon on 8 November, and her husband Blaise Alvares, who was 33, died at Morriston Hospital in Swansea on 23 December.
The couple’s 17 month old daughter remains in hospital receiving treatment for her injuries.
Three other people who were also in the house at the time of the fire were all discharged from hospital in the days following the incident.
In the immediate aftermath of the blaze – which started accidentally – fire service personnel visited homes in and around Manchester Road to offer reassurance and fire safety advice to the local community.
The Service is continuing to liaise with Swindon Borough Council, community leaders and Wiltshire Police, to ensure that the right support is being made available to local people.
Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “We were deeply saddened to hear that Mr Alvares passed away shortly before Christmas, especially given the tragic loss of his wife just weeks before. Our thoughts are very much with their wider family and other loved ones as they come to terms with what has happened and, in particular, with their baby daughter who remains in hospital and now faces a life without her parents.”
He added: “Since the fire, we have been working closely with community leaders in the Manchester Road area, and we have delivered vital fire safety advice to hundreds of homes and businesses. We continue to offer support to the local community, working in partnership with other agencies as appropriate to ensure that people affected by this tragedy have all the help they need.”
Anyone who would like a Safe & Well visit from the Fire and Rescue Service can:
- Call free on 0800 038 2323; or
- Visit www.dwfire.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits