Police rescue children from fire

Police rescue children from fire

Two police officers have helped rescue a family after a fire broke out in their home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

PC Steve Hackett and Special Constable Paul Morrison, from Northumbria Police, were patrolling in Redhouse, Sunderland, when they were alerted to the fire.

They forced their way into the smoke-filled flat in Redmond Road, and helped two children to safety.

The fire brigade arrived and led out two adults and two other children.

Chip pan

The family were taken to hospital where they were treated for mild smoke inhalation.

The two officers arrived at the flat within two minutes of being alerted by the fire brigade at 0205 GMT and saw a man shouting from a first floor window saying two children were trapped inside.

Chief inspector John Brady, of Sunderland city area command, said: "These officers responded to this incident extremely quickly and put aside their own safety to carry out their duties in the best traditions of Northumbria Police."

The fire is believed to have been started by an unattended chip pan as was quickly brought under control by Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade.