Off-duty firemen in shop rescue

Apr 3 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

EAGLE-Eyed off duty fire-fighters helped save the day when they spotted flames pouring from a Birmingham fish and chip shop with staff still inside the building.

Station officer Dave Bromley and leading firefighter Mark Clifton were on their way to work at 5.40pm on Saturday when they noticed flames and smoke billowing from Big John's takeaway, in Cooks Lane, in Chelmsley Wood.

Mr Bromley, who only last week was commended for his lifesaving exploits after a separate incident, said: "I saw there were still people inside.

"The fire was in the roof, which tends to spread rapidly. However, I don't think the five or six shop workers inside understood the danger or severity of the situation and they were our main concern.

"We stopped the car and rushed in there to get them out," added Mr Bromley, who is normally stationed at Bickenhall.

The quick thinking firefighters then switched off the gas and electricity supply and tore down some of the ceiling to allow easy access to douse the flames.

Crews from Sheldon and Bickenhall then arrived at the scene and managed to put out the fire.

"It could have been a different story altogether so I'm pleased we spotted it," said Mr Bromley, who added that the blaze was thought to have been sparked by an electrical fault.

Senior divisional officer Martin Clarke said: "This is an example of the first class service our crews deliver to their local communities.

"These officers have demonstrated a selfless commitment to public safety when off duty. They are a credit to themselves and West Midlands Fire Service.

Last week Mr Bromley picked up a commendation for coming to the rescue of a woman who was left dangling from the 18th floor of a Birmingham block of flats when a suicide bid went wrong.

"She had jumped but got her leg trapped in the window and she was literally hanging by one leg upside down," said the firefighter, who was based at Central Fire Station in the city centre at the time of the incident around two years ago.

"We had to make a lasso to get her back out."

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