Officer James Cantrill rescues a woman from a house fire started by an arsonist. The woman recovered after hospital treatment.
Police got the call at 3 AM on July 19th last year. The fire happened on Lingmell Close in West Bridgford, which is in Nottingham. PC Cantrill entered the smoky home and found the woman trapped in her bedroom. He helped her downstairs before firefighters came.
The woman went to the hospital with smoke inhalation but recovered fully afterward. Hawker lived at the same address and set fire to his own house. He started the fire using a wheelie bin.
Hawker admitted to arson and intending to endanger life. He also admitted to recklessness regarding life. His sentencing is April 3rd at Nottingham Crown Court. Nottinghamshire Police praised PC Cantrill’s actions.
Cantrill said he helps people and knows quick thinking is vital. He puts others first in these situations. He found the woman through thick smoke. She was lying on the floor and confused.
Smoke inhalation affected her a lot, and she was very scared. He moved her to a window, where they waited for the fire service. They needed breathing gear to exit the house because time mattered a lot. Saving her life seemed most important.
He helped her, and she was grateful, and he was relieved she recovered. DC Tony Tonks investigated the fire and stated PC Cantrill showed great bravery. Cantrill located the woman through heavy smoke inside and Tonks believes Cantrill’s quick decisions saved her life.
Hawker admitted to very serious crimes. Officers did a detailed investigation. Lighting fires can have dangerous results. PC Cantrill and firefighters prevented injury and other officers worked with fire service members, too. No one suffered lasting injury during this fire.