TWO PSNI OFFICERS have been recognised for their bravery after they saved the life of a woman inside a burning building.
Constable Richard Westbury and Sergeant Scott Thompson received Bravery Award certificates from The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.
On the morning of 26 May last year, the two officers were called out to a fire in a flat on Drumbeg Drive, Lisburn. When they arrived, residents of the building told the officers that their neighbour was still inside the burning building.
Despite the flat being completely filled with smoke, both officers went in and found the woman lying on the floor in the front bedroom. Constable Thompson used a fire extinguisher to tackle flames in the room before both officers pulled the woman to safety.
They then administered first aid to the woman until the arrival of an ambulance.
Both officers were also taken to Lagan Valley Hospital to receive treatment for the effects of smoke inhalation.
‘Gallant actions in fire’
Speaking at the event, Chief Constable George Hamilton who gave them the award, praised the two men’s actions:
The swift actions of Sergeant Thompson and Constable Westbury undoubtedly saved this woman’s life and I cannot praise them highly enough for their courage during this incident.
“Their actions exemplify policing at its finest and are just one example of the many ways PSNI officers work day in day out keeping people safe.”
The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire award people who perform acts of bravery in rescuing others from the life-threatening effects of fires in the United Kingdom.
They were founded in 1836 to recognise “those who perform gallant actions in fires”.
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