Fire control staff praised for rescue help

Firefighter (control) Lisa Adamson has been awarded a Commendation of Velum by Humberside Fire and Rescue Service for the advice and reassurance she gave to a woman and her three children while they were trapped in a first-floor bedroom during a "severe" fire at a property in South Ferriby.

Dawn Barley found her escape route blocked during a blaze on the ground floor of the house on November 16.

Miss Adamson provided support over the telephone until firefighters arrived and rescued the family by ladder from the first-floor window.

Two days later Miss Adamson's colleague Lisa Brewitt took an emergency call from Kelly Evans, who reported seeing smoke coming from a cupboard in the front room of her home in Market Place, Hornsea.

Mrs Brewitt established that there were two children in the property and gave fire survival advice which helped the family stay safe until they were led to safety by fire crews.

She was given a commendation by personal letter.

Chief fire officer Frank Duffield said: "Our fire control operators provide vital support and advice to members of the public that are in potentially life-threatening situations, and it is important that we recognise their actions."