Cookstown '˜hero's' quick thinking saves family from early hours oil tank blaze

A Cookstown man's quick actions helped a family escape injury after a fire broke out in their back garden, setting their oil tank and shed ablaze.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2016, 14:11 BST
Updated 14th Jul 2016, 15:20 BST
Cookstown man Will LambeCookstown man Will Lambe
Cookstown man Will Lambe

Will Lambe said he was walking past the Killymoon Crescent property in the early hours of Tuesday morning when he noticed the fire.

Speaking to the Mail about the incident, he said he ran up to the house and banged on the front door as he thought the residents would still be asleep inside.

And it turns out they were.

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After alerting the family, which included a pregnant woman, and getting them out of the house, Will said he then woke those living in the home next door as he was worried the fire would spread.

“I’m just glad everyone is safe and well and that I got everyone out of the fire,” he said.

But his actions couldn’t have prepared him for the reaction he got at work the following day.

“I still can’t get over the fact my whole work floor clapped when I walked into work today,” he said online.

NIFRS vehicleNIFRS vehicle
NIFRS vehicle

“I guess I did what anyone I hoped would have done.”

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His friend Steve Doonan has also praised his heroics on Twitter.

“My best mate saved the occupants of two houses from a house fire in Cookstown on Monday. So proud of him.

“He ran into the houses and got the occupants out including a pregnant woman. They had no idea their oil tank was ablaze. Hero.”

NIFRS vehicleNIFRS vehicle
NIFRS vehicle

Although his friends have taken to Twitter to praise their “hero”, he said he couldn’t have done it without the help of Stephen Hodgett and Mellissa Lawn, whom he said notified the Fire Service.

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A spokesperson for the Fire Service said: “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a call at 6.39am to a report of a fire at the Killymoon Crescent area of Cookstown on Tuesday 12 July.

“Two Fire Appliances from Cookstown Fire Station and one Fire Appliance from Pomeroy Fire Station were deployed to the scene.

“Firefighters using a CAF jet, breathing apparatus, a hosereel jet and two dammit mats dealt with a fire at an oil tank and a shed in the area.

“There were no reports of any injuries. Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service finished at the scene at 7.53am and the cause of the fire is undetermined.”

Related topics:Twitter