TWO police officers have been awarded for their bravery after rescuing an unconscious woman from a house fire in Burnham.

PC Ben Eastment and PC Derek Ingram, of Thames Valley Police, have won a Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Award for their efforts.

On the evening of October 29, 2019, the pair were on patrol when they got a call about the fire at a property with people still inside.

When they arrived at the scene, they found the front door to the house was open and could see smoke coming from upstairs.  

After entering, the pair found an unconscious woman in one of the bedrooms on the first floor.

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The lady’s teenage son appeared and said to the officers there were children next door.

Forcing open a locked bedroom, which PC Ingram thought had the children in, he found a mattress on fire but no one in there.

PC Eastment ran back out to the police car to get a fire extinguisher but the smoke had spread too much.

Though he struggled to see PC Ingram, PC Eastment managed to grab hold of him by the legs.

Together, the officers got the woman and pulled her downstairs and out of the burning house.

They also checked the teenage son had escaped and that there were no other people in the house.

The pair put the woman into the recovery position and monitored her breathing before the fire crew showed up to provide first aid.

Both officers suffered smoke inhalation and received oxygen therapy for an hour after the incident.

PC Ingram said: “We were the first on the scene, before the fire brigade.

“Neighbours told us there were still people inside the house and maybe children.

“We’re both family men, so something clicked, and we got our heads down and did what had to be done.”

He explained he is looking forward to attending the awards ceremony.

“It’s nice to be recognised,” he added.

“The police have been seen in a very bad light recently, but I don’t think that’s a fair reflection of the majority of officers.”

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PC Eastment said he feels “extremely honoured” to be nominated for the award.

He added: “Though I feel I was just doing my job, and I don’t think either myself or PC Ingram had a second thought about running into the house to save the lady inside.”

The officers have both also received a Chief Constable’s Higher Commendation for their actions.

Thames Valley Police Federation chair Craig O’Leary said: “Police officers are much more than crime fighters and once again this incident shows just that.

“Ben and Derek no doubt saved the woman’s life by putting themselves in harm’s way – and they also made sure that no one else was going to come to any harm.

“They went above and beyond the call of duty and we were all relieved that they were not seriously hurt themselves.

“We commend them on their quick-thinking and bravery.”

The two officers will attend the 2022 Thames Valley Police Federation Bravery Awards on April 28 where an overall winner will be announced.