**Mum Leaps from Second-Storey Window with Newborn as Blaze Devastates Cardiff Home**
A mother in Cardiff has described her terrifying escape from a house fire which forced her to leap out of a second-storey window clutching her baby. Alicia Murphy, aged 22, along with her partner Jordan Payne and several family members, lost their home and almost all of their possessions in the fierce blaze which broke out in the early hours of 29 April.
The property in Caerau housed seven people at the time: Alicia, Jordan, their infant son Alec, Alicia’s mother Charlotte Murphy, sister Hana Bedford, and two brothers, Ryan and Leo Bedford. The family’s ordeal began when shouts of alarm from Alicia’s mother and brother woke the couple abruptly, as thick smoke began to seep into their bedroom.
In a gripping account, Alicia explained that the alarm had been raised thanks to her brother’s dog, which first noticed the danger. Unsure of exactly what was happening, the couple opened the bedroom door, only to be confronted by a wave of thick black smoke. With the situation deteriorating rapidly, their focus immediately shifted to safeguarding Alec, their newborn.
“The smoke filled the room so quickly—it became hard to breathe almost instantly,” Alicia recounted. “At first, we didn’t know it was a fire, but as soon as Jordan opened the door the smoke just came pouring in. We screamed at each other to get to the baby, and managed to get him out of his cot together.” With no time to spare, Alicia, who is pregnant again, made the desperate decision to escape through the nearest window.
She described the ordeal: “As the smoke got heavier, I hung out the bedroom window as far as I could, my baby in my arms. But because we’d opened it, that was where the smoke was escaping, and it was getting worse.” Realising they had no other viable route, Alicia made the split-second choice to jump, bracing herself for the impact on the ground below. Fortunately, she landed without harm to her pregnancy, although she and her brother suffered minor injuries.
The chaos inside continued, with various family members making frantic efforts to find a way out. Jordan, showing immense courage, re-entered the burning building to help Alicia’s mother and sister, suffering severe burns and a fractured wrist in the process. One brother escaped from a top-floor window, while Hana, Alicia’s sister, was left sedated for over a week in hospital due to smoke inhalation and suffered minor burns and a broken finger.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their crews attended the blaze, which was believed to have been triggered by a lithium-ion battery in an electric scooter. Firefighters from five separate stations responded, using multiple breathing apparatus, hoses, and specialist equipment to bring the fire under control. Medical teams, including six ambulances and critical care specialists, treated seven casualties and transported them to the University Hospital of Wales.
Reflecting on the impact, Alicia expressed deep sadness at the loss of irreplaceable mementoes, such as cherished family photographs and her stepfather’s ashes. “We’ve lost everything that made our house a home,” she said. “We’re grateful to be alive, but suddenly our whole world has changed. There’s just so much that can never be replaced.”
The traumatic event has left Alicia and her family not only grieving but facing an uncertain future. Initially rehoused in a council-provided hotel, she explained the difficulties of living in cramped, unsettling conditions, especially with her young son and imminent second child. Frequent fire alarms and security concerns exacerbated her distress, and Alicia highlighted how baby Alec had been left deeply unsettled by the new environment.
Local councillor Neil McEvoy criticised Cardiff Council for what he described as inadequate emergency housing provisions for the family, noting that Jordan remained in intensive care with life-altering injuries. The council responded by outlining the support already provided and announcing Alicia’s move to more suitable family accommodation.
Amidst the chaos and loss, Alicia said the experience had profoundly affected her peace of mind, making her apprehensive about simple tasks such as using electrical devices. “House fires are terrifying—you live with the aftermath every day. I’m just hoping my family can find some stability and a place to heal and rebuild our lives.”
The family’s struggle continues as they come to terms with their ordeal. They hope, with support, to eventually move beyond the trauma and find a permanent home. The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by household electronics and the need for ongoing vigilance to prevent similar tragedies.