A FIREFIGHTER who saved a boy’s life when he pulled him from a house fire in Northfield while he was off-duty has received a Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation.
Russ Jones went to offer his help at the property in Farren Road on March 18 and, after making a call to West Midlands Fire Control, was told a boy was missing.
Russ heard the screams and worked out the boy must be on the ground floor.
He looked through the window and saw the front room curtains move and, on closer inspection, saw the boy on the floor.
He then smashed the window with a rock, removed the glass, reached in and pulled the boy to safety.
Firefighters from three stations – Northfield, Kings Norton and Woodgate Valley – then arrived and extinguished the blaze.
Modest Russ, a firefighter for 24 years, said at the time: “I did what any of my colleagues would have done in the same situation. I’m a dad myself, so I’m just so grateful I managed to locate the boy and get them out of the property.”
As soon as I saw the fire and was told a young child missing in the property, I had to do something.
“I’m just so grateful I did and that he is ok.
Group Commander at West Midlands Fire Service, Marc Hudson, praised his swift and selfless actions, adding they represented the very best of West Midlands Fire Service.
“We’re very proud of Russ for saving the young boy’s life, had he not acted so quickly and professionally, this incident may have ended in tragedy.”
Fire Investigators who attended the scene confirmed the fire was accidental.
