Man's quick-thinking praised after fire at flats

Matt Welsh was converting a Ford Transit nearby when he heard the smoke alarm

A man who helped prevent a fire from spreading through a block of flats has been commended for his quick response by a county's chief fire officer.

Matt Welsh was helping to convert a Ford Transit into a campervan at his brother's home in Rushden when he heard a nearby fire alarm sounding and saw a plume of black smoke rising on 28 September.

The 28-year-old scaled a wall and fence to reach the flat where the fire started and used a dry-powder extinguisher which he had purchased just 20 minutes earlier to install in the van.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service chief Nikki Watson said she was "thrilled" to award Mr Welsh a commendation for his bravery.

The fire started in the flat and spread to the resident's curtains and carpet while they tried to move an ignited frying pan outdoors from their kitchen.

Mr Welsh said: "My brother came running round with the fire extinguisher, so I quickly got hold of it and put the flames out.

"We bought the fire extinguisher earlier that day for the van in case there was ever a pan fire, so it was perfect timing really."

'Shock and relief'

Mr Welsh also cared for the resident, who had sustained burns and suffered from smoke inhalation, until fire crews arrived at the scene.

"I was really pleased knowing that I had helped someone and potentially stopped the spread of fire in the block of flats," he said.

"It was a mixed feeling of shock and relief."

Ms Watson said Mr Welsh's "swift intervention proved to be the difference between a small fire in the corner of the room and a blaze that could have potentially engulfed the whole flat and spread to other properties in the block."

She said: "His willingness to help bought our crews valuable time and undoubtedly showed the power of quick response in critical situations."