Watch: Arsonist jailed after officers evacuated guests from burning Doncaster hotel
Bodycam footage has captured the moment police officers entered a burning Doncaster hotel before helping evacuate guests to safety as a man was later jailed over the blaze.
On January 26, 2026, police responded to reports of a fire at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Balby area of Doncaster.
Officers were deployed and PC Warren Crowcroft and PC Rowan Burnett entered the hotel to assess the extent of the blaze.
At one point the officers were concerned for the safety of a person in a room filled with smoke.
They tried to push the door open but were forced back by intense heat and flames.
With the assistance of a hotel employee, PC Crowcroft used multiple fire extinguishers to try and douse the flames.
He then switched his attention to ensuring the safety of everyone in the hotel.
The officer then cleared the hotel floor-by-floor, guiding guests and staff outside to safety.
Once he was sure the hotel was empty, he then directed firefighters towards the room on fire resulting in the blaze being successfully extinguished.
As this was all happening, PC Burnett carried out swift enquiries to locate and apprehend a man suspected of starting the fire.
She said:"The actions of PC Crowcroft and PC Burnett epitomise what it means to be a response officer.
"Even when faced with danger, they didn't hesitate entering the building and ensured their main priority was to protect the public and keep them safe from harm.
"Given how quickly the fire took hold, the outcome could have been very different had it not been for their quick thinking and courage, and I am immensely proud of their actions."
Bradley Bennett, 32, from Doncaster, was charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the incident.
He later pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered.
Bennett was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday (May 21).