By Julie Armstrong

Last updated 05:37, Friday, 12 September 2008

THE firefighters who rescued Melanie Witson from her burning Brook Street home were devastated by her death six weeks later.

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Hopes dashed: Melanie Witson’s family remained hopeful that she might pull through but following a major operation her condition deteriorated

The Carlisle crew, so pleased to have rescued the young mother in July, have this week spoken of their shock at the news of her death.

Cliff Harding, a watch manager at Carlisle, said: “It was a good result at the time to get her out of what was quite an intense fire. To hear what has happened takes away that euphoria – the crew is really cut up.”

Melanie, 21, was sleeping as the blaze ripped through her house off London Road. She battled against 50 per cent burns for six weeks at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Hospital before losing the fight last Thursday.

Six men were involved in her rescue, battling through temperatures reaching around 500C in the living room to reach the bedroom.

After pulling her out, they still feared her two daughters – one-year-old Shannan and two-year-old Hannahlea – were trapped inside, and ventured back into thick black smoke several times in a bid to find them.

They say they searched for more than half an hour before discovering they were safe and staying with relatives.

The crew offered their heartfelt condolences to Melanie’s family.

Mr Harding, who was officer in charge on the night of July 18 and has been a firefighter for 25 years, said: “Usually you never get to hear afterwards how someone is recovering.

“We are human and it does affect us.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the job for, anybody who says you get used to it isn’t telling the truth.

“We can only tell ourselves that we at least gave her an opportunity to live.”

The firefighters involved have been offered the chance of critical incident debriefing to help them come to terms with the outcome.

Though Mr Harding found it difficult to talk about the experience, he has done so to convince people of the crucial importance of working smoke detectors.

He said: “It is imperative to have a smoke alarm in working order to give you an early indication and let you get out of the premises in time.

“To have one fitted free, call 0800 358 4777, or the fire station on 01228 593350.”

A funeral service for Melanie will take place on Monday at St Herbert’s Church, Carlisle, at 1.30pm.