A Stone student firefighter has received a special award for his brave actions when a fire broke out at his home.
Twelve-year-old Harry Alcock was presented a certificate of bravery and a £20 book voucher following his brave actions when a fire broke out on his street in Uttoxeter. The presentation, by Staffordshire’s Chief Fire Officer Peter Dartford, was a surprise to Harry and his fellow student firefighters who were all attending their weekly session at Stone fire station on Friday evening.
Harry was helping his mum look after his younger sister and some of her friends when he saw smoke coming over his garden fence. He immediately told his mum to call 999 and told her what to say to fire control operators while he went back into his house to get the children out.
He quickly led five children aged between three and 10 to safety, not even allowing them time to put on their shoes, and then began knocking on neighbours’ doors to get them out of their houses. The fire spread to his neighbour’s house as well as his own but Harry kept a cool head and looked after the children.
On receiving the award Harry said: “I wasn’t expecting this at all. I saw my family appear and thought that was a bit odd so wondered what was going on and then Mr Dartford told us all why he was there.
“I just acted on instinct and used my training when the fire broke out. My first thought was ‘What is it?’ and then ‘Where are my family?’. I became a student firefighter because I was interested in being a firefighter when I’m older. Now I know that’s definitely what I want to be.”
Harry’s mum, 41-year-old Kathryn Alcock, said: “We are immensely proud of Harry, his actions were well above his years and he potentially saved numerous lives that day.
“I’d always thought of the student firefighters as Harry’s secret world but on the day of the fire I saw first-hand what Harry is capable of and what he has learnt.”
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