The heroic actions of a neighbour who pulled two people from safety from a burning house have been officially recognised by Bolton's fire heros.
Jamie Jackson forced his way into his the property which was being engulfed by flames after realising his neighbours were trapped.
The incident happened just days before Christmas 2019, but because the pandemic broke soon after, Jamie's actions were not able to be celebrated until now.
On the evening of December 22, 2019, Jamie, a mechanic form Smithills, heard the smoke alarm sounding from the next-door house on Athlone Avenue.
When he went out he saw a large blaze, and realised that his two neighbours – an 82-year-old woman and her 56-year-old son – were trapped inside.
(Scene of the fire)
Without a thought for his own safety, he instructed his son to call 999 and he headed for the back door – breaking it down to gain access to the burning building.
Neighbour saves mum and son who were trapped in kitchen fire in Bolton
He said: “As soon as I smashed the back door down all the flames were up the sides of the walls and all over the ceiling and they were just stood in the middle of the kitchen. I don’t think they knew where they were, to be honest.
“I went into the kitchen and got them out.
“I didn’t even think twice about not doing it. You just have to do it.
“You don’t know how you’ll feel in those situations until it happens.”
He added: “I’d do it again.”
Yesterday, Jamie, in the company of his family and a crew from Bolton Fire Station, was presented a Certificate of Outstanding Performance by Greater Manchester Fire andRescue Service's Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel at Bolton North Fire Station.
Mr Russel said it was an honour to be able to recognise Jamie's “phenomenal act of bravery”.
He added: “Today is an opportunity for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to recognise what Jamie did and to celebrate his actions with his wife and his two children here today at Bolton North Community Fire Station.
“He could see the casualties in the kitchen, and he’s worked his way through conditions of smoke coming out of the property and a level of heat and rescued a lady and gone back in and rescued the gentleman. Not everybody would be able to do that.
“He wasn’t trained and instinctively has reacted in a humanitarian way just to try and do what he can to try and save those people’s lives on that night.”
The two people Mr Jackson saved were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and were treated for some smoke inhalation.
This is the first time that GMFRS has been able to host such an event since the pandemic, having tried to organise a ceremony for Mr Jackson numerous times in the last couple of years.
Mr Russel said: “These events are hugely important. Not just in terms of recognising the actions that members of the public may take but also there is what is called a Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation – something that I’m able to give to members of my staff within the service for actions that individuals of in a team may take on the incident grounds – so I’m delighted to be able to start to do those again and recognise the professionalism of my staff and indeed the actions of members of the public when it’s right to do so.”
Mr Jackson added: “I feel proud. I don’t feel like a hero, but I did what I needed to do.
“It means a lot that they think that I’ve done something heroic like this.”
Ady Taylor, Station Manager at Bolton North said: “We’re trained professionals and it can be dangerous for us even with all our equipment on so to go in without any breathing apparatus or anything is absolutely commendable. Really, really brave.
“I’d like to praise my staff. They’re highly trained professionals, as are all the firefighters throughout Greater Manchester and the officers as well.
“I can’t speak highly enough of them. This is a very proud moment for me.”
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