Award for brave neighbour rescue
MICHELLE HELPED OAP TO SAFETY AS FIRE BROKE OUT
A BRAVE neighbour who rescued an elderly woman from a fire has been commended for her actions by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.
This week, the service’s deputy chief fire officer presented Michelle Burton with a commendation for actions that likely saved her neighbour from serious burns.
On Saturday, August 28, Michelle was at home in Church Lane, Barrow-on-trent with her young son when she noticed an unfamiliar noise. After checking appliances in her own flat, Michelle realised it may be coming from her elderly neighbour’s flat above.
She courageously went into her neighbour’s smoke-filled flat and helped her to safety before emergency services arrived.
Presenting Michelle with a special commendation to acknowledge her brave actions, deputy chief fire officer Rob Taylor said: “Michelle demonstrated selfless bravery by entering the flat fire in August and rescuing the occupant before the arrival of fire crews.
“She risked personal injury by entering the property, but thankfully was unharmed.”
While recognising Michelle’s bravery in entering the flat, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it wanted to remind people of the dangers of entering a burning building and returning to a building if you have escaped – its advice is, in the event of a fire, Get Out, Stay Out and call 999.
An investigation into the cause of the fire at the Barrow-on-trent flat concluded that the most likely cause was accidental due to smoking materials.
A fire service spokesperson said it would like to ask anyone who smokes to take a couple of minutes to read vital advice on preventing a smoking-related fire in the home.
If you have elderly family, friends or neighbours, take a minute to check they know how to stay safe too:
Never smoke in bed;
Use a proper ashtray – never a wastepaper basket;
Make sure your ashtray cannot tip over and is made of a material that won’t burn;
Don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around. They can easily fall over and start a fire;
Take extra care if you smoke when you are tired, taking prescription drugs, or if you have been drinking. You might fall asleep and set your sofa or bed on fire;
Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach;
Consider buying child-resistant lighters and match boxes;
Stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully. Put them out. Right out!;
Ensure you have working smoke alarms fitted on every level of the home and check them weekly;
Have a planned and practised escape route – ensure you know how you would get out in the event of a fire.