Fire rescue earns double bravery award

Mosgiel officer Alastair Dickie’s rescue of a young boy from a Christchurch motel fire earlier this year has resulted in a Royal Humane Society Silver Medal and the 2006 Charles Upham Trust Award for Bravery.

Alastair was earlier this year staying at a motel in Christchurch when a fire broke out in a ground floor unit at 2.15am.

Three of the unit’s occupants had escaped, but a 10-year-old boy was still inside.

Alastair heard the call “fire”, put on some clothes and went downstairs where he found two men trying to extinguish the now well-established flames in the unit’s lounge.

The smoke and heat was intense, and attempts by the parents to rescue the boy had been unsuccessful and injured them both.

Alastair heard cries for help coming from the boy. Barefooted and with wet material to protect his face, he entered the unit, stumbled around furniture and followed the sound of the boy’s moans.

Thick smoke prevented visibility and Alastair eventually found the boy by touch in a rear bedroom. He gathered him up and, falling over unseen furniture, managed to find the way out.

Alastair suffered minor burns to an arm, a cut foot and was treated for smoke inhalation.

With no regard for his own safety, Alastair saved the boy from a life-threatening situation.

It is anticipated Alastair will receive his Charles Upham Award from the Governor General in early 2007.