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Tot Corey owes his life to local fireman

16/ 4/2008

THE parents of a toddler who was just "seconds from death" in a fire at their home have spoken of their gratitude to the firefighter who saved his life.

Four-year-old Corey Richardson hid under the bed as flames engulfed his room at the family home on Coalshaw Green Road, Chadderton.

Despite several attempts to rescue him by his panic-stricken family, the toddler could not be found. As fire crews arrived dad Wayne said he was sure his son had perished.

But within minutes the unconscious youngster had been found.

Firefighter Phillip Wells managed to spot Corey underneath a blanket amid the thick smoke. He resuscitated him in the living room and the boy was rushed to hospital.

Speaking from Corey’s bedside at the Royal Oldham, Wayne and mum Holly Taylor, 23, said they couldn’t thank fireman Philip enough.

"If it wasn’t for him Corey wouldn’t be here – simple as that," said Holly. "We owe him our little boy’s life."

Wayne said Corey had started the fire while playing with a cigarette lighter in his bedroom shortly after 8pm on Sunday. He had started another small fire earlier in the day which his parents managed to put out.

His family, sat downstairs, were unaware of his predicament until his screams gained their attention.

Wayne said he desperately tried to get upstairs but was beaten back by the intense heat and thick smoke. He raced outside, grabbed a ladder and smashed the upstairs window with his bare fist.

But he could not find the toddler and his efforts were in vain.

"All the neighbours were out," said Wayne. "There were about five of us trying to get to him. I was panic stricken."

Fire crews arrived at the terraced house minutes later.

"I was screaming at them ‘my son’s in there’ – I was sure he was gone," said Wayne. "When they carried him down the ladder he was limp and lifeless."

But after spending the night in hospital Corey, who suffers from asthma, is set to make a full recovery.

And he says he has learnt his lesson.

"The house is broken now," he said.

"Lighters are bad. They burn. I just want to go home and play with my friends."

Mike Harris, Watch Commander at Chadderton Station, said praise must go to Phillip Wells and the rest of the crews who attended.

He added: "Unfortunately the house had no smoke alarm. We can’t emphasise how important they are and how important it is to keep smoking materials away from children."

Holly, who has a two-year-old daughter who was downstairs at the time of the blaze, said that they would take note of the advice.

"The first thing we are going to do is get smoke alarms fitted in every room," she said.

Firefighters are now offer free smoke alarms and fire safety assessments for locals during this week.