Hero rescuer in line for bravery award

May 31 2007 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

A BRAVE father-to-be who was hailed a hero after rescuing a man from a blazing house is being recommended for an award.

Amjid Hussain swung into action after fire broke out in a converted downstairs bedroom at the house opposite his in Grange Road, Smethwick, on Monday night.

The 37-year-old salesman fought his way through thick smoke to reach the bathroom. He smashed a glass panel in the door to rescue an Asian man in his late 50s, dragging him to safety down the stairs.

The man, whose daughter and other members of his family had earlier fled to safety, was taken to hospital with burns to his stomach.

Firefighters who tackled the outbreak, afterwards hailed Mr Hussain as a hero.

The brave salesman, whose wife, Dilara, aged 29, is shortly to have their first child, said however: "I just did what anybody would have done."

A spokesman for the West Midlands Fire Service said today: "We do have annual achievement awards that recognise bravery, both by our own staff and members of the public. This case might be viewed as suitable for consideration."

Watch Commander Dave Hodgkins of Smethwick fire station, who led the fire-fighting operation, confirmed: "Mr Hussain has been put forward for recognition for an award for his bravery."