Treasured record collection destroyed in Wolverhampton house fire
A music lover's treasured collection of vinyl records and CDs went up in smoke in a blaze at his home.
The distraught owner, believed to be in his 40s, suffered smoke inhalation as he fought through thick fumes to escape the property in Wolverhampton.
Around 20 firefighters battled the blaze which destroyed a music studio in a converted garage as well as part of the kitchen.
Crews converged on the the semi-detached house in Burland Avenue, Tettenhall, just before 9am yesterday after several 999 calls from the scene.
Neighbour Kerry Parker said: "It was frightening how quickly the fire spread. The flames and smoke seemed to come from the back of the house where the kitchen is and then the smoke was at the front too."
Firefighters removed the metal garage door to gain access. They cordoned off the road for two hours at both ends while they dealt with the blaze.
The owner, believed to be a doctor at Sandwell General Hospital, was treated at the scene by paramedics but declined to go to hospital.
Shopkeeper Sam Tarsem, 49, said: "It's so sad. He loves his music. He had the studio soundproofed so he could play his records in the evening and at weekends, and his friends would come over.
"When I opened the back door this morning to let the dog out, I saw the smoke. It was a shock.
"I quickly locked the shop and went over in case he was asleep in there but he was outside the house. He was with someone, an engineer I think, who was working in the road. He looked upset."
Fire investigators were at the scene within five minutes of receiving the 999 call and managed to save the fire from spreading to the rest of the house.
Wolverhampton crew manager Gary Proctor said: "It was a severe property fire and through safe and assertive firefighting we were able to stop the fire from spreading to the rest of the property.
"One person suffered smoke inhalation but chose not to attend hospital. We believe the property was smoke-alarmed.
"The cause of the fire is still being investigated but it is believed to have started in the studio. The owner had an extensive record collection. It must have taken years to build up but unfortunately there is nothing left of it.
"The fire took a bit of putting out because of the nature of what was inside. All the plastic meant that there was a danger of a flashover."
West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Neil Spencer said: "We had the call at 8.48am and sent three fire engines and one brigade response vehicle, totalling 18 firefighters.
"One man got out before we arrived and he was given oxygen therapy for smoke inhalation, before being checked over by paramedics."
There was no one else in the property at the time.
