Heroic Halesowen off-duty binman who rescued three dogs from a house fire honoured with award

Tom Alexander was presented with a Certificate of Meritorious Action from Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Stanton after saving the lives of the three dogs who were trapped in a house as a fire started in a kitchen.

Mr Alexander and his family were invited to Haden Cross Fire Station for a presentation last week, where he received the certificate and also had the chance to meet the firefighters who responded to the incident.

The incident happened in August when Mr Alexander said he heard a commotion from a property just four doors away. 

Seeing a fire in a kitchen that had trapped three dogs, he entered the house, rescued the animals, isolated the electrics, and used a garden hose to extinguish the flames.

He received oxygen therapy from the fire crews who arrived at the scene minutes later and said that he was just doing who anyone else would have done.

He said: “I’ve been taken aback by receiving the award, to be honest. 

"I just did what anyone else would have done and I didn’t expect to be recognised at all

“In the moment, I didn’t really think, I just helped. After freeing the dogs, I turned off the electrics and put out the fire, all in one moment.”

Watch Commander Leigh Raxster, who was present at the scene, said Mr Alexander's actions were unlike anything he’d seen in his career.

He said: “In my 21 years on the job, I’ve never seen anyone do as much as he did in such a short time.

“Tom took on the role of a firefighter that day without a second thought. 

"A humble man, he did a brilliant job, and we were delighted to welcome him and his family to Haden Cross for his presentation. 

"We and many others thank him for his courageous actions.”