A binman’s quick thinking helped save a woman’s bungalow from being destroyed by fire.
Johnny was collecting bins with colleagues Tatenda and George in Franklands Close, Burgess Hill when he heard a ladies voice crying for help.
He replied calling out: “Is everything ok?”. The lady responded with a desperate cry of: “Help it’s all burning, it’s all burning.”
Initially Johnny thought she was just burning her breakfast but when he entered the bungalow, he could see that a fire had started in the living room and the flames were beginning to spread.
Rushing outside to the refuse vehicle, he grabbed the fire extinguisher and instructed George, the driver, to call the fire brigade, before rushing back to the bungalow.
By now thick black smoke was visible and before tacking the fire Johnny had to stop the resident from trying to get back into her home. Once she was safe, he put his t-shirt over his face, so he didn’t breathe in the smoke, started tackling the fire and then opened the patio door to ventilate the bungalow.
When the fire service arrived, thankfully the flames were out. The crew assessed the situation and confirmed an electric blanket had caused the fire.
The ambulance also arrived and checked over the resident who has confirmed she was okay.
Yesterday, the grateful resident popped out to thank the crew when they made their collection.
Johnny said: “It’s just instinct to save the lady’s home. Imagine if that was your mum or your nan? No one came out to help her, and that was something we couldn’t believe.
“I had to help her before she lost everything, If I hadn’t been there, and she kept going back into the bungalow, it could’ve gotten much worse. In that moment, I just had in my head that I needed to save her bungalow.”
A spokesperson from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Johnny’s actions are highly commendable and potentially saved this resident’s home and even her life.”
