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12-03-07, 03:06 PM
A police dog handler has been awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery for his actions rescuing 2 people from a house fire earlier this year.
The fire occurred during the early hours of Friday 27th April at a house on Miller's Road in Brighton.
PC Eric Wells was patrolling the area when he smelt smoke in the air. Investigating further, he continued driving until he spotted smoke and flames coming from the house. He immediately raised the alarm and saw a man managing to escape via the front door.
PC Wells entered the building but was beaten back by smoke and flames. It was then PC Wells noticed that two women were shouting for help from an upstairs window, trying to break the glass in a bid to escape the flames behind them. He immediately grabbed a stepladder and climbed to the first floor where he managed to smash the glass and assist the women to escape from the burning building.
PC Wells was then informed that there was another person still trapped in a room at the rear of the property. Again he entered the ground floor, having to dodge falling debris, but was beaten by the intensity of the fire. East Sussex Fire and Rescue were quickly at the scene and managed to rescue the trapped woman by forcing their way in with specialist equipment.
All four occupants, one man, who managed to get out by himself, and three women were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. One of the women needed to be treated for serious burns in the intensive treatment unit. PC Wells suffered minor burns and cuts as a result of the incident. It is believed the fire was caused accidentally by a candle.
PC Wells said:
"I was honoured and very surprised when I heard about the commendation. I was simply doing my job and it was something that any other officer would have done. I feel this award is for everyone on the force. I am very proud."
Chief Superintendent David Martin, Sussex Police Operations Department, said:
"PC Wells showed tremendous bravery which led to the lives of these women being saved. He was first on the scene and quickly assessed what needed to be done. He went back into the burning building to try to reach the trapped woman without a thought for his own safety in efforts to preserve life. He is a credit to Sussex Police and has been quite rightly recognised on a national level for his courage."
Former Chief Constable of Sussex Joe Edwards also presented an official commendation to PC Eric Wells at a ceremony at police headquarters in Lewes in September. He said PC Eric Wells showed "outstanding courage".
The fire occurred during the early hours of Friday 27th April at a house on Miller's Road in Brighton.
PC Eric Wells was patrolling the area when he smelt smoke in the air. Investigating further, he continued driving until he spotted smoke and flames coming from the house. He immediately raised the alarm and saw a man managing to escape via the front door.
PC Wells entered the building but was beaten back by smoke and flames. It was then PC Wells noticed that two women were shouting for help from an upstairs window, trying to break the glass in a bid to escape the flames behind them. He immediately grabbed a stepladder and climbed to the first floor where he managed to smash the glass and assist the women to escape from the burning building.
PC Wells was then informed that there was another person still trapped in a room at the rear of the property. Again he entered the ground floor, having to dodge falling debris, but was beaten by the intensity of the fire. East Sussex Fire and Rescue were quickly at the scene and managed to rescue the trapped woman by forcing their way in with specialist equipment.
All four occupants, one man, who managed to get out by himself, and three women were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. One of the women needed to be treated for serious burns in the intensive treatment unit. PC Wells suffered minor burns and cuts as a result of the incident. It is believed the fire was caused accidentally by a candle.
PC Wells said:
"I was honoured and very surprised when I heard about the commendation. I was simply doing my job and it was something that any other officer would have done. I feel this award is for everyone on the force. I am very proud."
Chief Superintendent David Martin, Sussex Police Operations Department, said:
"PC Wells showed tremendous bravery which led to the lives of these women being saved. He was first on the scene and quickly assessed what needed to be done. He went back into the burning building to try to reach the trapped woman without a thought for his own safety in efforts to preserve life. He is a credit to Sussex Police and has been quite rightly recognised on a national level for his courage."
Former Chief Constable of Sussex Joe Edwards also presented an official commendation to PC Eric Wells at a ceremony at police headquarters in Lewes in September. He said PC Eric Wells showed "outstanding courage".