Never again says fire rescue woman
A WOMAN who nearly died trying to save her dog from a fire says she would not make the same mistake again.
Ros Tee, 54, had to be rescued from an upstairs bedroom by firefighters after going back into her burning home to save her dogs on March 29.
Five weeks on she has been released from hospital and has returned home to Braunston with her husband Norman.
Mrs Tee has no recollection of the fire at her home in Brooke Road, which is still uninhabitable.
She said: "I'm just glad nobody died. I wish it hadn't happened.
"I wish I hadn't gone back in – that was very foolhardy. I'm very grateful to the firemen and paramedics and hospital staff who have all done a terrific job."
After she was rescued Mrs Tee was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary then transferred to Glenfield Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. She spent four weeks in intensive care and one week on a ward. At one time she had 19 different lines in her body and she also picked up a chest infection.
For the first three weeks she did not know where she was. And when she came around she found she could not speak because she had had a tracheotomy to help her breathe.
Sitting outside her temporary home at the Old Plough pub in Braunston, she said: "For four weeks I didn't use my legs – last week I was walking with a zimmer frame but now it's coming back. I've got to do a bit more each day. I've got to keep at it.
"This is my second brush with death. Seven years ago I had a brain haemorrhage and had an emergency brain operation and made a full recovery."
The couple had bought smoke detectors two days before the fire and had not fitted them. They still don't know when they will be able to move back to their home.
But they are being well looked after by their friends in the meantime.
Old Plough landlord Pete Atkinson put flowers and chocolates in Mrs Tee's room for when she came out of hospital.
She said: "People in the village have been superb. Once we're back in the house we'll have some kind of celebration."
The two dogs Donald and Geoffrey, who are staying with neighbours, have been inundated with offers of walks. And nine villagers helped Norman clear the house out on Saturday so building work can begin.
During Monday's May fair in Braunston Mrs Tee met and thanked the firefighters who saved her life.
She said: "I'm just extremely lucky."
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Weather for Stamford
Saturday 26 May 2012
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