Fire hero saves disabled man

A firefighter heroically broke into a burning house and saved the life of an amputee.

Now Sgt Larry Stevens, of the Port Royal Station is to receive a commendation from Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid.

But modest Sgt Stevens, a 27-year veteran of the fire service, last night downplayed his heroism.

He said: “I just did my job — I didn’t want to make any fuss about it. I’ve been doing this so long, it’s just part of the job.”

Wearing breathing equipment, Sgt Stevens, made several attempts to get into the blazing home – and finally smashed his way in through a window and carried the disabled man, who is also a dialysis patient, to safety.

The fire broke out in a shed next to the house which contained highly explosive propane and oxygen cylinders and spread quickly to the home.

Sgt Stevens, a married father of two grown-up sons from Sandys, said: “The shed was well alight and the fire had started to spread to the house. I got there just ahead of the truck and I could hear someone screaming for help.

“It was a dangerous situation because the only entrance to the house was on the side of the fire. But I’m doing what I love, so I just got on with it.”

The fire victim suffered superficial burns to his arms and hands, but was otherwise unhurt. The man was taken to hospital for treatment, but Sgt Stevens said he believed he had now been discharged.

Asked about the danger, Sgt Stevens said: “As firefighters, we don’t even think about it – instinct makes you just do it. If you thought about it, you might not do it.”

Mr Hollinsid last night confirmed: “Sgt Stevens has been recommended for a Chief Fire Officer’s commendation – we’re all very proud of him.

“That’s their job, but when they do it as well as he did in this particular case, I’m extremely proud.”

The incident happened at a house in Somerset in the early hours of last Saturday.

The news came as it was announced that Mr Hollinsid is to step down as fire chief in April after 12 years in the top job and more than 40 years of firefighting.

Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said: “Mr Hollinsid has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, demonstrating the highest levels of professionalism and commitment to the core values of the service.

“The organization is a stronger one today and his leadership has developed the men and women of the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service into highly skilled and respected professionals in our community.”

Mr Hollinsid holds the Fire Service Long Service Medal and is the only uniformed officer to have served in the former Hamilton Fire Service and the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service.

Mr Dunkley added: “On behalf of the Ministry and the Government, I thank him for his outstanding service and wish him well in his retirement.”