Essex police couple commended for fire rescue

• By Martin Heath
• BBC News, Essex

A couple who both work for the police have been recognized for their bravery after rescuing two elderly people from a house struck by lightning.

Samantha and Dave Bridge, from Corringham in Essex, both received commendation certificates from the county’s chief fire officer.

The fire service said the commendation was the highest honor a chief officer can award.

Ms Bridge said the recognition was “lovely”.

Samantha Bridge, who is a Criminal Justice Support Officer, and Dave Bridge, a police dog handler, awoke during the early hours of June 18, 2023 to what sounded like an explosion.

In fact, their elderly neighbor’s house had been struck by lightning.

The couple jumped out of bed and headed into the house, which was already full of flames, to rescue their neighbors and their six dogs and cat.

He said: “I took all the dogs, one by one, under my arm and put them in the back of their car.

“While I was doing that, the ceilings were light and the ceiling in the kitchen fell down.”

“The smoke was horrendous,” he added, “it was stinging your eyes. By the time we got outside the whole roof was alight.”

The chief fire officer, Rick Hylton, said: “Our police colleagues run towards danger to help save lives, putting their own lives at risk. It takes real bravery and courage to run towards a fire and even more so to run into it to rescue others.

“I, and those people, will forever be grateful for your bravery and quick thinking.”

Ms Bridge said many local people helped with the rescue: “People down the street were bringing out cups of tea. A couple of neighbors allowed [the elderly couple] to sit in their house until the ambulance came.

“It’s lovely that we’ve been recognized but the whole community pulled together that night.”