Scots dad jumped 20ft from balcony as fire ripped through Edinburgh flats

An Edinburgh father bravely jumped 20ft from his flat balcony to safety as a fire engulfed a building on Niddrie Mills Crescent. Andrew Bond, 36, made the daring leap onto a mattress below after the blaze erupted on Thursday, November 6, around 6.30pm. Miraculously, Andrew’s partner Maureen and his cousin William were rescued by firefighters, while their two children, aged 12 and four, were fortunately not present at the time.

Recalling the terrifying ordeal, Andrew described how he noticed the flat growing dark before realizing the urgency to escape. With the help of his neighbour, Stewart Henderson, an old mattress was positioned under the balcony for Andrew to jump onto. Andrew shared with Edinburgh Live, “I first thought the fire alarm was just from someone cooking. I didn’t think anything of it until I heard people shouting. I walked out of the door and the whole stairwell was black… I couldn’t be more grateful to the firefighters for putting their lives at risk.”

Despite receiving prompt medical attention and support from emergency responders, the traumatic experience has left Andrew and his family fearful of returning to their home. Andrew expressed his concerns, stating, “Even now going into the flat scares us. We have two young children, what if it happens again when they are home? I was petrified. It’s really shaken everyone up. We were lucky to get out the way we did.”

Ten individuals were hospitalized following the incident, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remained on-site until 10.17pm. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed they responded to the emergency, transporting 10 patients to the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, while the Fire and Rescue Service detailed their efforts to extinguish the fire within the three-storey block of flats. Police Scotland has reported that inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the blaze.

In light of this harrowing experience, Andrew’s bravery and quick thinking in ensuring the safety of his loved ones serve as a testament to his courageous actions during a time of crisis. The incident underscores the importance of fire safety measures and community support in times of peril. May this family find comfort and strength as they navigate the aftermath of this frightening event.