On the evening of Tuesday, October 29, 2019, roads policing officers PC Ben Eastment and PC Derek Ingram were on patrol when they heard a radio call about a house fire in Burnham, with people still inside.
PC Eastment and PC Ingram decided to self-deploy to the incident because they were only a few blocks away. When they arrived, the front door to the property was open, and they could see smoke coming from upstairs.
The officers entered the house with great bravery and discovered that the fire was coming from a bedroom that appeared to be locked. The officers discovered an unconscious female in another bedroom while searching the first floor of the property. Her adolescent son appeared and informed the officers that “the children are next door.
PC Ingram suspected children were in the locked bedroom and forced the door open. A mattress in the room was on fire, but thankfully no one was present. PC Eastment dashed to the police car to retrieve an extinguisher, but by the time he returned, the fire had spread and smoke was filling the upstairs of the house.
PC Eastment struggled to see PC Ingram through the thick smoke, but he managed to grab him by the legs. Meanwhile, PC Ingram had grabbed the unconscious woman, and the officers pulled her downstairs and out of the house as the fire raged around them.
They also ensured that the teenage son had safely escaped the burning property and that there were no other occupants in the house.
Officers placed the woman in the recovery position and checked her breathing. Soon after, the fire department arrived and took over the role of providing first aid.
Following the incident, both officers were exposed to smoke and required oxygen therapy for an hour.
“We were the first on the scene, before the fire department,” said PC Ingram. Neighbors informed us that there were still people inside the house, possibly children. Because we’re both family men, something clicked, and we put our heads down and did what needed to be done.
“I’m looking forward to attending the Awards – it’s nice to be recognised,” he said of the Awards. The police have recently been portrayed in a negative light, but I don’t believe that is a fair representation of the vast majority of officers.”
“I feel extremely honoured to be nominated for such an award,” PC Eastment said. I feel like I was just doing my job, and neither myself nor PC Ingram had a second thought about running into the house to save the lady inside.
Police officers are much more than crime fighters, as this incident once again demonstrates,” said Thames Valley Police Federation Chair Craig O’Leary.
Ben and Derek undoubtedly saved the woman’s life by putting themselves in danger – and they also ensured that no one else was in danger.
“They went above and beyond the call of duty, and we were all relieved that they did not sustain serious injury.”
We applaud their quick thinking and bravery.”
For their actions, both officers received a Chief Constable’s Higher Commendation.
The National Police Bravery Awards recognise officers from across England and Wales who have displayed exceptional bravery while on or off duty.
As nominees, the pair will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July, along with colleagues from across the country.
