THREE men who rescued a man from a smoke filled flat have been given awards from the Essex Fire Service.

At a special ceremony at Grays Fire Station on Tuesday January 29 Chief Officer Adam Eckley awarded Brian Murray, Barry Wells and Stuart Andrade for their work.

On October 17 last year the trio were talking in the street in Victoria Road, Horndon-on-the-Hill when they heard an explosion and saw smoke coming from a nearby house which had caught fire.

The three of them ran to the house and, after dialling 999, heard calls for help coming from inside. They forced the front door open and fought their way through thick smoke and intense heat to rescue an elderly man trapped inside.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Adam Eckley, who presented the commendations, said: “All three of these men showed immense courage in doing what they did. Had it not been for the action they took the man trapped could easily have lost his life in this fire.

“It gives me great pleasure to present these three men with Chief Fire Officer Commendations recognising the courageous and selfless action they took when face with a life threatening situation last October.”