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Chief Fire Officer Chris Blacksell presented a Certificate of Commendation to Christian Clark at Peaks Lane Fire Station, Grimsby after his quick thinking last month saved a property and possibly a life.

Master shot Christian

Watching on were Crew Manager Steve Maloney (left) and his Oasis Academy Principal Heidi Stennett (right).

On 10 May 2022, crews had been called to reports of a tumble dryer on fire at a property on Winchester Avenue in Grimsby, but found no evidence of a fire at the address originally given.

12 year old Christian had other ideas and, on hearing the sirens in the area, ran 300 yards down the street and successfully directed crews to his neighbour’s house further up the road where crews found a female casualty in the front garden suffering from smoke inhalation, asthma and shock.

There was a well developed tumble dryer fire in the house which would have spread to the rest of the house and possibly to adjoining properties had it not been for his quick thinking. The occupier received oxygen at the scene and was then left in the care of paramedics who arrived on scene. She has made a full recovery.

Crew Manager Steve Maloney and the rest of Green Watch organised for Christian and best friend Harley to go up in the Aerial Ladder Platform which extended to 100 feet over the station yard! He could see his school, but not quite his house!

Green watch

Chief Fire Officer Chris Blacksell was impressed with Christian’s exemplary actions and had no hesitation in approving a Commendation which had been suggested by Crew Manager Steve Maloney.

Chris said:

‘Commendations are very rare and are only issued in exceptional circumstances. Christian deserves this recognition and his family and school are rightly proud of him. He is a shining example of how our young people can make such a difference when they really put their mind to something.’