Quick-thinking PCs hailed heroes after fire spot
Apr 17 2009 by Liz Hands, The Journal
THEY say it was all in the line of duty – but these two police officers have been hailed as heroes.
Quick-thinking PCs Chris Wilson and Barry Gibson were just about to attend a parish council meeting when their trained instincts told them something was wrong.
As they entered St Aiden’s Community Centre in Princes Road, Brunton Park, Gosforth, Newcastle, they could smell smoke and went to investigate.
Even before the smoke alarms activated they searched for a possible blaze when they came across the boiler room on fire. And without hesitation the pair sprang into action to evacuate around 30 people from the centre that was holding a slimming class as well as the meeting they were due to attend.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to the building but it was due to the actions of the policemen that no one was hurt.
Today the courageous pair say they did what any other officer would have done and they played down their bravery.
PC Wilson, 40, said: “We had just arrived at the community centre when we could smell smoke. We went outside to see if there was a garden fire but came back in and started to search the rooms until we came across the boiler room that was filled with smoke.
“We immediately started to get everyone out and once outside you could see smoke billowing from the roof while flames were coming from the boiler room. We did what came naturally and did what any other officer would have done in our situation.”
PC Gibson, 30, said: “We were in the right place at the right time. Although there was fire damage to the building, no one was hurt.”
The pair, who are based at Etal Lane Police Station, were invited to give a presentation on crime at a meeting of the North Gosforth Parish Council on Wednesday at 7pm when smoke from a fire threatened to overcome the packed community centre.
Fire crews from West Denton, Newcastle’s Colby Court and Wallsend were scrambled to the scene and managed to tackle the blaze. Princes Road was closed for over an hour while the fire was brought under control.
Almost 30 activity groups have been affected by the blaze as they will have to find alternative accommodation in the nearby church and scout hut as repair work is carried out over the next few months.
Last night the policemen were praised by their bosses and fire officials.
Gosforth and Great Park Sgt Paul Rae said: “The officers did an excellent job. They quickly called the fire and rescue service and evacuated the building, making sure that no body was left inside.”
Kevin Marley, watch manager at West Denton Fire Station, said: “It was lucky they were due to give a talk when the fire broke out, they did a really good job and no one was injured.” Three water jets were used to extinguish the fire, while six firefighters wearing breathing gear went in to the building to tackle the blaze.
The fire started in the boiler room and spread to the roof.
Watch manager Mr Marley added: “We put two holes in the ceiling at either side of the fire so we could tackle the flames. We then used a thermal image camera to identify any further hotspots.”
A spokesman from fire control said: “Initial investigations located the fire to a boiler room. The fire is not being treated as suspicious.”
