A woman who was rescued from a house fire has backed efforts to stop service cuts in Wrexham.

Ellie Minter, 51, said that she owed her life to crews from Wrexham and Oswestry who attended the blaze at her home in Weston Rhyn.

She has spoken out against North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority’s plans to cut Wrexham Fire Station’s second engine.

“They saved my life and I was told that the equipment used by the Wrexham crew to get me out was essential. If it wasn’t for that second engine from Wrexham, I wouldn’t be here now and that’s why I’m supporting the campaign to save it.” 

Ellie was rescued from her home two weeks ago when a fire that spread from a smouldering log to curtains caused a “flashover” that blew out her patio doors. At the time Ellie was upstairs. “I have no sense of smell so wasn’t aware of anything untoward,” she said. 

“One minute I was upstairs going about my business, the next minute I was lying on the lawn being tended to by firefighters.”

Ellie’s neighbours reported flames as high as the house, which was so badly damaged that it will be the summer before she can move back from her daughter’s.

Ellie suffered from smoke inhalation and joked that her only other injuries were the firefighter’s finger marks on her biceps as she was pulled from the blazing house.

She added: “Someone else will need it next week or next month. You can’t mess with people’s lives.”

Last month, 500 people marched through Wrexham to demand that the authority keeps the fire engine – one of just two full-time fire engines in the town.

Marc Jones, of Save our Services (Wrexham) said: “Our campaign to save the second whole-time fire engine in Wrexham along with 24 firefighters’ jobs has always been about preventing death and serious injury.

“Ellie’s story could have been so different had that second pump from Wrexham not been available. Cuts like this cost lives and the fire authority should think hard before it gets rid of frontline services.”

The consultation on the proposal comes to an end today (December 12) and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority will make a final decision in March.