TEENAGE heroes who rescued a family from a blazing block of flats are to be commended with a bravery award.

Laurence Cawley

TEENAGE heroes who rescued a family from a blazing block of flats are to be commended with a bravery award.

Joshua Cramer and Daniel Ridgeon, both 15, saw smoke billowing from the block in Anselm Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, in August last year.

They also heard screams coming from inside.

To try and alert residents to the danger Daniel shouted and pressed door entry buttons.

The pair was let in and they ran up the stairs to the top floor which was filled with black smoke. They found an armchair alight on the landing and Daniel ran to get a fire extinguisher while Joshua tried to stamp out the flames.

Then while Daniel fought back the flames with the extinguisher, Joshua escorted two children, Marcus and Jess, who were just two and 11 months old respectively at the time, and their mother Louise Ashton - down the stairs to safety, using tee-shirts to cover the children's mouths.

The fire was put out with the help of other residents before fire fighters arrived on scene.

Next Tuesday the dynamic duo will receive bravery awards after being nominated by Suffolk's Chief Constable Simon Ash. They will get certificates from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire and a cash sum from the Provincial Police Awards.

Mr Ash said: “I am very pleased to be able to recognise the bravery of these two young men, whose quick thinking saved a young family from a fire which was well alight.

“Both thought of the safety of others before themselves, but quickly reacted to the situation so no-one suffered any serious injury as a result of the fire.”

Suffolk Fire and Rescue's western area commander John Wilcock said: “With little regard for their own safety, these two young boys displayed immense courage in entering a burning building and rescuing a young family.

“This demonstrated a community spirit and a willingness to respond and assist when a person is in need, and it is only fitting that they are receiving these awards.”