The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has paid tribute to three brave Gwent Police Officers who helped rescue a man from a serious fire in a flat in Monmouth, saving his life.

PC Andrew Mason, PC Damian Eynon-Williams and PC Glyn Mason, who are all based at Monmouth Police Station, were on hand to assist as Firefighters pulled the man from his smoke logged home, and received the Chief Fire Officer's Letter of Congratulations at a special presentation in Monmouth Fire Station on Tuesday evening.

The Letter is awarded to members of the public and emergency services, who have carried out a 'particularly neighbourly act or professional job, over and above what is considered normal or expected'.

In the early hours of 21st May this year, Monmouth Firefighters were called to the flat in Buchanan Close, where the occupier was reported to be trapped in his bedroom.

In charge of the incident that night, was Station Manager at Monmouth Fire Station, Simon Brown.

He explained: "As my crew entered the property via the rear patio doors to search for the missing occupant, I approached the bedroom window (which was issuing black smoke) with the intention of calling the occupier.

"As I was about to call, a hand appeared from inside, below the window sill. I grabbed the hand and started to pull the occupier up and towards fresh air. As I did so, three local police officers rushed forward to help me rescue the occupier through the window."

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