A boy who suffered horrific burns in a suspected arson attack on his County Durham home has been reunited with the firefighters who saved him.
Ten-year-old Blaine Beattie and his brother Cameron, 21, were rescued from their first-floor flat in the Forth Close area of Peterlee on December 14 last year.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue team were alerted to a report of a bin fire and when Peterlee White Watch arrived at the scene they faced a well-developed fire in a first floor flat.
Firefighters concentrated their efforts on putting out the blaze and rescuing Blaine and Cameron Beattie from a first floor window.
They provided the brothers with medical care, before crews from Peterlee and Wheatley Hill, as well as other emergency services arrived at the scene.
Both brothers were taken to hospital, where Cameron was treated for a burn to his right arm and little Blaine suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body.
Sadly, a family dog died in the fire.
Durham Police are treating the fire as a suspected arson.
After two months in hospital, Blaine is now home and being supported by his family.
To help him make sense of the events, last week he visited Peterlee Fire Station to meet some of the firefighters who rescued him that night and tour the station.
Blaine’s dad Paul said: “This has been the most awful experience of our lives, a living nightmare.
“We have moved into a new home and Blaine will go back to school next month.
“As we start looking towards the future I thought it would be helpful for Blaine to meet the firefighters who saved him and his brother.
“To everyone involved in his rescue – thank you so much, there aren’t really words to express our thanks.”
Delighted to host Blaine, Watch Manager Mick Corfield, whose crew were first at the scene, said: “Us firefighters are always thinking about the people that we’ve helped and are always wondering how they’re getting on.
“With Blaine being so young, and me being a father of two boys, his story really stuck with me. That’s why it was such a pleasure to have him come to the station and see him up and about but, most importantly, smiling.
“His road to recovery is still on-going but everyone at CDDFRS continues to wish him well and will welcome him back to the station with open arms.
"I also want to thank my crew firefighter Hudson firefighter Rafferty and firefighter Laidler for their amazing service."
He added: “Looking at the photos of Blaine in hospital is difficult but it serves as a reminder just how dangerous fire is.
“That’s why will continue to encourage everyone to make sure they have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes and that people are testing them every week.
“If you need smoke alarms fitted – we can fit them for you.”
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Blaine's family have share his hospital photos to help show people how truly devastating the effects of fire can be.
Anyone with information about this fire should contact Durham Police on 101 and quote incident 34 of December 14 2024.
Or call Firestoppers anonymously on 0800 169 5558. CDDFRS offers free Home Fire Safety Visits to all residents in County Durham and Darlington.
To book a visit call 0345 223 4221 or www.ddfire.gov.uk.
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