Rookie rushes to the rescue (From Barry And District News)

Rookie rushes to the rescue

A ROOKIE copper has been hailed a hero after helping to save five people from a blazing block of flats.

Barry policeman Andy Lofthouse, who has been on the beat for just seven weeks, dashed into Palmerston House after noticing thick black smoke billowing out.

He was soon joined in his brave rescue bid by patrol colleague PC Steve Morgan, and PC Steve King and PC Linda Chiapetti, who were working nearby.

A modest PC Lofthouse said: "We didn't have time to think. A member of public yelled that people were trapped and we just reacted. As we went into the building, we could just about see two people coming through the thick smoke."

The crew charged through the choking air, with limited visibility, to lead the two, plus a third resident who was coming down the stairs, to safety.

As they were making their way up the stairs again they heard fire engines approaching.

They went back outside and directed the team, who were hours away from the eight-day strike, towards the flat where they thought people were still trapped.

The firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, rescued a woman and her partner, assisted by the police officers.

PC Morgan explained: "The firefighters had them out of the flat but were having trouble getting them down the stairs. So we went to help."

One casualty suffered a cardiac arrest and was treated by ambulance paramedics at the scene.

The five tenants and the four officers were then taken to University Hospital of Wales.

All the residents are said to be in a stable condition. The heroic coppers were treated for smoke inhalation and were back on the beat just three hours later.

Chief Superintendent Colin Jones praised the quartet: "As divisional commander, I am very proud of these officers. They acted with extreme bravery."

Alun Rawlins financial director of Newydd Housing, who own the property, said: "The police are still investigating, but it appears as though the fire was located in the meter cupboard."

The flats would re-open as soon as electrical work had been carried out, he said.