Heroic teenagers helped save elderly couple and their possessions as fire tore through their £1million thatched cottage
- Tom Humphrey, Nat Harper and Ollie Strudwick saved the couple on February 10
- Around 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines helped put the fire out in Holt, Dorset
Three heroic teenagers helped save the lives of an elderly couple last Friday as a fire tore through their £1million country house.
Tom Humphrey, Nat Harper and Ollie Strudwick burst into a village home in Holt, Dorset on February 10 when spotting a thatched roof set ablaze.
On making it inside, the panic-stricken teens found owners sitting in the downstairs lounge oblivious to the danger.
Tom, 17, said: ‘Ollie called the fire brigade and, when we got to the door, started knocking because we didn’t know if anybody was inside, but there was nothing.’
The group helped the couple get outside before going back in to retrieve some valuables and turn off the power.
Around 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines helped put the fire out in the village Holt, Dorset
Tom continued: ‘We got them outside and I said, “have you got all your pets?” and Nat also made a very good point of the passports still being in the house, so they were all retrieved.
‘At this point visually, it was only a small fire on the roof, but I was also completely aware that because it was a thatched roof the loft could be completely ablaze.
‘It was the craziest few hours I’ve ever had.’
It is believed some stray embers from a wood burning stove caused the fire at around 6pm.
Twelve fire engines and around 60 firefighters helped to extinguish the flames at its height that evening.
The blaze tore through the roof and first floor of the historic building that used to be the village post office.
But the teenagers recovered most possessions downstairs – preventing thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.
Nat also said: ‘My friend and I were so glad that we were able to help as much as possible but it was truly devastating seeing the destruction the fire had on the home that they loved.’
It is believed some stray embers from a wood burning stove caused the fire at around 6pm
Tom Humphrey (left), Nat Harper (right) and Ollie Strudwick (centre) saved the couple on February 10
The teenagers recovered most possessions downstairs – preventing thousands of pounds’ worth of damage
The blaze tore through the roof and first floor of the historic building that used to be the village post office
Ollie added: ‘Living in a thatched cottage myself this experience was very close to home for me.
‘I’m so grateful that’s me and my friends were able to get everyone out and safe before the situation got worse.
‘I’m thankful for the firefighters for the extremely hard work and courage and everyone did a great job.’
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