Redbridge Council superheroes save family from burning house in east London
Published: 28 July 2022
The quick thinking and bravery of a Redbridge Council refuse crew led to the rescue of three children and a young adult trapped inside a burning Ilford home.
Nick Gardner, a Refuse HGV Driver from Southend, and Mark Hewitt, a Refuse Loader from Dagenham, were on their daily round on Monday (25 July) when they spotted a fire on Mortlake Road, Ilford. When they pulled up to the burning property, Nick noticed a teenage boy pop his head around the curtain of the top-floor bedroom. The child had already opened his bedroom door, meaning smoke had quickly filled his room.
Nick told the child to keep his head outside the window to breathe properly, while Mark quickly sourced a ladder to help the child evacuate his top-floor bedroom.
Nick then kicked down the front door, where he was confronted by a house engulfed in flames. At this point, two young boys ran out through the front door to safety. A young adult also escaped the property by going through a back window.
Nick called 999 and alerted the neighbours to the dramatic situation unfolding. London Fire Brigade attended the scene to manage the fire. Fortunately, none of the family suffered any serious injuries.
Nick said: "It was just a typical Monday morning until we saw smoke billowing out of this property. When we stopped and pulled the handbrake, I think it alerted the young boy in the front top bedroom. I shouted to tell him to keep his head outside the window, as his room was filling up with smoke. I think a neighbour gave me a ladder, and we managed to get the young lad outside to safety.
"I then kicked the front door through, and it was like a scene from London's Burning, the TV programme from years ago. At that point, two young boys darted through the front door to safety.
“We're just pleased that no one came to any harm. We then got on with our shift as normal. It wasn't until later that evening that I realised what had happened. These things can take time to sink in."
Mark said: "It all happened so quickly. I think the two young boys who managed to escape through the front door showed great bravery in my eyes. If we hadn’t been driving down Mortlake Road that morning, I shudder to think what might have happened.”
The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: "I am incredibly proud of Nick and Mark. They are real-life superheroes. Thanks to Nick and Mark, a tragedy was averted, children's lives were saved, and a local family was reunited. Every day our council staff work incredibly hard delivering vital services for our neighbours across Redbridge, but it's not every day they are called upon to risk life and limb to literally save lives. I always knew our Redbridge staff were exceptional, but the actions of Nick and Mark have just proved the point."
The Chief Executive of Redbridge Council, Claire Symonds, said: “Nick and Mark showed incredible bravery and resolve. Their quick thinking and decisive action saved lives, and we are all so grateful that they happened to be in the right place at the right time to make a real difference. What was also amazing was that after this drama, they then went on to finish their round!”
