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A team of Met Police officers have been praised after they bravely rescued around 20 people trapped inside a burning hostel in Euston. The blaze started in the early hours of Saturday, with officers searching through the smoke-filled five-storey building to find people inside. Before firefighters arrived, the officers entered the smoke-filled basement and found a number of people who were trapped and disorientated, before leading them to safety.
Police Sergeant Pete Day tackled the fire with extinguishers, while Police Constable Luke Uzzell forced entry to all of the rooms in the basement to ensure nobody was trapped. The other officers searched the remaining floors of the hostel, giving directions to people and directing injured people to paramedics who had arrived on the scene. Met Commander Peter Stevens said: “Each and every day Met officers put their lives in danger in order to protect the public and keep the communities they serve safe.
“The actions of these officers were outstanding and exemplify the very best of the Met. Without a thought for their own safety, they stepped into danger and showed exemplary courage. “I’m thankful that nobody was seriously injured and this is no doubt due to the heroic actions of our brave officers.”. Three members of the public, as well as the nine Met officers, were all taken to hospital for minor injuries caused by smoke inhalation. They have all since been discharged.
