Retiring Hyndburn firefighter saves life on final shift (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Retiring Hyndburn firefighter saves life on final shift

9:10am Tuesday 16th February 2010 in

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FIREMAN Colin Western ended an outstanding 25-year career — by saving a woman’s life on his last shift.

Mr Western, 51, rescued her from the upstairs window of her burning home in Petre Crescent, Rishton.

She was taken to hospital where she was treated for smoke inhalation and was expected to be discharged yesterday.

Colin, who joined the service when he was 26 years old, said he was unsure what his final shift at Accrington Fire Station would hold.

But when his team were called out to the blazing house he knew it was his last chance to do what he does best.

Donning breathing apparatus, he battled through billowing smoke and climbed the stairs to reach the woman before carrying her down to safety.

Crew manager Neil Cooper said his colleague would be very difficult to replace.

He said: “His last act as a fireman was saving someone's life.

"We will miss Colin without a doubt. I pity someone else who has to come and fill his shoes.

"Twenty five years is a long time and you can't buy that knowledge.

“It's going to be strange without him."

Mr Western said his last few weeks 'had been pretty quiet'.

He said: “Coming into my last tour this week I was wondering what we would have to do and then we have this rescue.

“She was hanging out the upstairs window and it was a classic rescue really.

"My mate Julian Warwick and I went upstairs and did it together.

"It’s always a joint effort. I was fortunate enough to get hold of the lass and get her out.

“It's been the perfect ending for me.”

The woman, in her 40s, was asleep when the fire started at 3.15am on Sunday.

When she woke neighbours heard her screams and called the fire brigade, while one man, Neil Mounsey, climbed a ladder to her window and tried to keep her calm.

Firefighters spent nearly two hours tackling the fire, which wrecked the woman’s kitchen and coated furniture and belongings throughout the home in black soot.

However, they were unable to rescue her Westie dog Olly, who died in the kitchen, where the fire is believed to have started.

Inspector Dave Clarke, from Lancashire Police, said the woman’s condition was now okay.

He said officers were still investigating the incident with the fire brigade to determine whether or not the fire was suspicious.

Meanwhile Colin, from Green Haworth, said he was planning on enjoying the start to his retirement by following the Tour De France this year and taking a trip to California.

He said: “I’m really into biking and I’m still very active, so after that let’s see what happens.”