999 operator praised for helping elderly couple escape blaze at Fishtoft home

Julie Housego visits Boston fire station to thank the firefighters who rescued her from her burning house.

The couple in their 70s were woken in the early hours of the morning in their Fishtoft home in September to find their bedroom filling with smoke.

They called 999 – and in the nine minutes it took for the fire crew to race to the house, operator Sally Warren stayed on the phone with them and played a huge role in helping them stay safe.

She was able to keep the couple calm and advise them on the safest course of action.

Julie Housego visits Boston fire station to thank the firefighters who rescued her from her burning house. Julie pictured with Tim Joyce

The fire was blocking the stairs and preventing escape, but the couple managed to get out of the bedroom onto a flat roof with Sally's help.

They were surrounded by thick smoke and could hear the fire progressing, but the fire Control room had been able to give the crews a detailed location of where the couple were from Sally's information, so they could get to them with ladders as soon as they arrived on scene.

The kitchen of the property was completely damaged in the fire with smoke damage to the remainder of the property.

The fire is believed to have been caused by the hob being accidentally left on.

Sally is presented with her certificate by Tim

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The fire crews that attended reported that had the fire survival advice not been given, the outcome could have been very different.

Sally was presented with a certificate for her actions at ceremony at Boston fire station which will also be attended by one of the couple she helped save, and crews from Boston fire station.

Tim Joyce, Area Manager for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, who made the presentation, said: "A fire response is a team effort and it starts from the moment the fire call comes in. Sally's calm action and professionalism in the control room helped get Julie and David to safety, and allowed crews to get information so they could help as soon as they arrived on scene.

"This incident really shows the importance of having working smoke alarms fitted and to test them regularly, so you have an early warning of a fire especially if it happens while you are asleep. Keep doors closed at night to stop fire spread and have your own 'escape plan' – know how you would get out of your property in the case of fire in different locations."