Fireman hospitalised after rescuing goldfish

A fireman who saved three goldfish from a flat fire was taken to hospital after he tripped over a shoe. About 20 firefighters tackled the blaze, which was spotted by a postman, in Sussex Place, above Barnardo’s charity shop in New Malden High Street.

The fire, which is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, caused severe smoke damage but the only injury was the firefighter, who was taken to Kingston hospital with an ankle injury.



A lettings manager said three women who live in the flat, but were at work at the time, would not be able to return to their home and were shaken by the experience. New Malden fire station watch manager Steve Preston said: "The actual fire damage was only really around the area where the fire was.

"But there was very very thick black smoke and the whole flat was damaged, it’s absolutely covered in black soot. We did manage to save the goldfish and the bowl. The three young ladies were quite happy that their pet fish were saved alongside their television."