Everyone in-and-around the emergency services family knows that firefighters are a multi-talented bunch and fit bunch of lads and lasses.
But we have never heard of a firefighter helping to rescue someone whilst at the same time catching a suspected thief who was running from the Cops!
DevonLive.Com recently reported that the Devon firefighter had been branded a hero after catching a suspected shoplifter whilst at the same time also saving a woman who was trapped under a fallen tree.
During the rescue, the firefighter saw that the officers were chasing after a male near to where the rescue was taking place.
Seeing his chance, the firefighter managed to grab the fleeing suspect as he tried his best to evade the long(ish) arm of the law.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed to reporters from DevonLive.Com that a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and possession of heroin.
They said: “Police officers were in pursuit of a shoplifter who had stolen items from John Lewis.
“This chase took us near the Honiton Inn and Vue area of the city where fire crews were dealing with their own incident.
“Fire crews helped stop the individual who is now in police custody.”
Devon and Somerset Fire Service were called to the junction between Paris Street and Western Way in Exeter after a tree fell on a woman.
A spokesperson said that a woman in her 30s sustained injuries to her left leg.
“The woman was released by tree surgeons and fire crews administered first aid until an ambulance arrived. She has now been taken to hospital.”
This just goes to show that, despite the inter-service banter, each member of the emergency services hails from the same heroic family.
The male who was running from the police could have been armed with anything, but without any regard to his own safety, the firefighter made sure that, on this occasion, the suspect didn’t get away.
