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Fire alert from candles at 99th birthday party

Rhiannon McDowall
25/ 6/2008

PHEW! When Clarice Ratchford saw two strapping firemen walk in on her birthday celebrations she thought – at the age of 99 – her luck was in.

But Macclesfield’s finest arrived to help lower, not raise, the temperature after golden girl Clarice had so many candles on her 99th birthday cake that they set off the fire alarm.

But the day certainly didn’t go up in smoke as the two firemen made her day by posing for a picture after dealing with the alert.

They were called to Pendlebury Manor Care Home, on London Road, on Friday, June 20, after resident Clarice had blown out all 99 candles on her cake.

She said: "It was a false alarm – but it was my candles that set it off!"

Caroline Connor, deputy manager at the care home, said: "She was desperate for a party and we thought she deserved one – we had all the trimmings.

"When we took it through to her we didn’t realise she was sitting right beneath the fire sensor.

"Of course, as soon as she had blown the candles out, off it went."

Adding to her eventful day, ex-ballet dancer Clarice was also in for a surprise when her good friend from Germany, rang to offer her congratulations on her birthday, whom she had not seen for over five years.

Clarice said: "I had a wonderful, wonderful day.

"It was lovely to get a call from her and the party here was great – and eventful!"

Born in Manchester, Clarice moved to Macclesfield when she was married in 1934, where she worked as a bookmaker and has lived for 74 years.

A passionate dancer, she attributes her health to many years of exercise, travel and keeping busy.

Clarice trained with prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn, before going on to marry her John Daniel Ratchford. She said that her dance techniques have been a great help in keeping fit.

She said: "It’s down to plenty of getting about. I have visited all over the world with my husband and kept very busy and active, and of course, exercise is good.

"You never forget the exercise techniques you learn as a dancer."

And although she never made it as a professional dancer, she must have been doing something right!