West Midlands Police has shared some body-cam footage of the moment when one of their officers ran into a burning building to rescue families.
PC Spencer Lunn happened to be driving down the Bristol Road when he saw flames bursting through the roof of flats above shops.
He got out and ran into the building, banging on doors and ensuring everyone got out safely.
The video also reveals the moment he stumbled across the blaze’s cause; bin bags lined the staircase of a cannabis factory operating from one of the flats.
Spencer, who is 26 and has been with the police for three years, said: “It all happened so fast and I was just operating on adrenaline.
“I just reacted and did what I thought was right at the time as the only thing going through my mind was getting people out safely and making sure no one was trapped inside or if anyone was unaware as to what was happening.
“The fire was popping and crackling, and it really was intense as at the time.
“I didn’t know that it had spread so quickly and when I came face-to-face with, it was certainly a shock.
“It was great teamwork from everyone, and the other agencies including West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Fire Service, and thankfully nobody was injured.”
An investigation to identify those behind the cannabis factory, which sparked the fire in the early hours of 9 December last year, continues.
Spencer is part of West Midlands Polices’ Force Support Unit, which helps at crime scenes and other operations.
His boss, Chief Inspector Imran Mirza, said:
“This was brilliant work from Spencer. He put others before himself and ran toward the danger, as our officers so often have to do.
“His efforts on that night really embodied our values of protecting the public and helping those in need.”
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