Medal for fire rescue
A TOWNSVILLE man who ran into a burning house to rescue a man has been recognised for his bravery.
Steven Morris was awarded a Bravery Medal and was among the Australian Bravery Award winners announced by Governor- General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Sunday.
On the morning of August 24, 2015, Mr Morris had just started work when he noticed smoke coming from a property at The Point, Castle Hill.
At first the tradesman suspected someone was burning garden waste, but when the smoke alarms went off he ran towards the two- storey property.
He put a garden hose through the window and attempted to extinguish the fire before entering the building to search for occupants. He quickly became breathless due to the thick black toxic smoke and was forced to retreat from the property twice.
As he was about to enter the house for a third time, the home’s owner appeared in the driveway “screaming” that her physically disabled son, then 18, was inside and couldn’t get out by himself.
Mr Morris and the woman made their way to the upper level of the property and found the young man.
“When I went into the next level I could feel all the floor boards underneath my feet getting hot,” Mr Morris said.
“I grabbed him and carried him out as dignified as possible because he had no body strength.
“I cradled him to support his head and whisked him out.”
Mr Morris carried him downstairs and outside to safety as the woman followed.
The humble 40- year- old father of two described the experience as the most “personally rewarding thing” he had done in his life.
“I felt good about myself after it all washed over actually thinking that I did help save someone's life for the better.”
But he wasn’t expecting the range of “mixed emotions” he felt when he went home to his family.
“When I got home and saw the way my partner and my boys reacted … my boys started crying as soon as they saw me … you realise what was at stake,” Mr Morris said.
“I’m strong- willed and bighearted to know nothing was going to stop me from going home to my boys,” he added.
Mr Morris said he would accept the award, but didn’t feel deserving of it.
“To be totally honest, I didn’t expect anything from it and I didn’t want anything from it.
“I didn’t want recognition because I’m not that type of person.
“The gratitude I got from the mum and how thankful she was for what I did that was all I needed and that made me feel good.”