A young girl has been applauded by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service after her quick thinking saved the life of her neighbour from what could have been a fatal fire.
Olivia Ramsay, aged 7, from Shiney Row in Houghton-Le-Spring, woke up and alerted mum Samantha when she heard a fire alarm going off.
The young girl then urged her mum to check all their fire alarms but came back none the wiser to where the sound was coming from.
Read more: Work starts on Tesco and Home Bargains stores at Houghton Colliery
But, Olivia was adamant 999 should be called after Fire and Rescue recently held a visit to her school; educating children to call emergency services if they hear a smoke alarm going off.
Following a call to the Fire Brigade, help arrived in minutes to save the life of their neighbour who was asleep when their kitchen was on fire.
Olivia’s mum Samantha now says she is “really proud” of her daughter’s heroic actions.
She added: “My two boys were asleep upstairs and didn’t hear a thing that night – sleeping safe and sound.
“If it wasn’t for her waking up who knows what could have happened.”
Following the fire, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Firefighters have personally thanked Olivia, saying they are “grateful” for her actions.
Group Manager Steven Thomas, Head of Prevention and Education for TWFRS, said: “It’s great to know the school visits we deliver have a positive impact that children understand our potentially lifesaving safety messages and can act upon them when needed, to keep their families, friends and neighbours safe.
Read more: The Travellers Rest in Houghton-le-Spring burns down
“Olivia’s quick response that day saved a life and we are grateful she called us and we were able to get to the property so quickly.
“I want to thank our fire control and crews who attended that night without their quick response who knows what could have happened.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue services have also admitted it’s a stark reminder to homeowners to make sure their fire alarms are functional and in use.
Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from only £1.50 per week
Steven added: “This incident is a reminder that it’s important that you test your smoke alarms regularly to make sure they are working in case of emergency.
“If you don’t have working smoke alarms or something doesn’t appear right, get in touch via our website and we can arrange a free safe and well visit.”
To arrange a visit, call either 0800 032 7777 or fill in an online form here to receive a Safe and Well Check including a free fire alarm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here