Hero Cops Rescue Woman from Burning House
On the evening of Tuesday 29 October 2019, PCs Ben Eastment and Derek Ingram were on patrol when a radio call about a house fire in Burnham sent them rushing to the scene. They heard reports that people were still trapped inside.
Smoke and Flames, No Time to Hesitate
The officers were just around the corner and quickly self-deployed. Arriving at the property, they found the front door wide open and smoke billowing from upstairs.
Showing massive courage, PCs Eastment and Ingram entered the house. They spotted a locked bedroom with flames licking out but found it empty. On the first floor, they discovered an unconscious woman in another room. A teenage boy explained, “the children are next door.”
Bravery in Thick Smoke
PC Ingram forced open the locked door, revealing a mattress on fire but no children inside. PC Eastment dashed back to grab a fire extinguisher, but the blaze rapidly grew, filling the upstairs with thick smoke.
Visibility was near zero. Despite this, PC Eastment grabbed PC Ingram’s legs to avoid losing him in the smoke. Together, they pulled the unconscious woman downstairs and out of the roaring fire. The teenage son was accounted for and safe.
Aftermath and Praise
Both officers suffered smoke inhalation, requiring oxygen therapy for an hour after the rescue. They placed the woman in the recovery position and monitored her breathing until firefighters arrived.
PC Ingram said, “We were the first on the scene, before the fire brigade. Neighbours said people, maybe children, were still inside. We’re family men, so something clicked — we got our heads down and did what had to be done.”
“I’m looking forward to attending the Awards – it’s nice to be recognised. The police have been seen in a bad light recently, but that’s not a fair reflection of most officers.”
PC Eastment added, “I feel honoured to be nominated for such an award. But really, I was just doing my job. Neither of us hesitated to run into the house and save that lady.”
valley-police/" title="Thames Valley Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="4497">Thames Valley Police Federation Chair Craig O’Leary praised the pair: “Police are more than crime fighters. Ben and Derek saved a life by risking their own. They made sure no one else was in danger. Their bravery went above and beyond duty.”
Both officers received a Chief Constable’s Higher Commendation and are set to attend the 2022 Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Awards on 28 April, where an overall winner will be revealed.
