TWO people who risked their lives to save others during ferocious fires have been given awards.

Peter Senior and Caroline Tennant both showed courage when they saw people in danger as life-threatening situations unfolded in front of them.

Chief Fire Officer Stuart Errington presented commendations at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters.

Mr Errington said: “I am pleased to present two very brave members of our community with these special awards.

The Northern Echo: Fire engulfs the car and bike at Thinford in August. Photo: Natalie Whitfield

Fire engulfs the car and bike at Thinford in August. Photo: Natalie Whitfield

“Their quick-thinking actions and selfless disregard for their own safety ensured the best possible outcomes in both of these very dangerous situations.

“All of our human instincts are programmed to make us turn away from fire, so it is a special person who can overcome that instinct and run towards the danger in a bid to help.

“Of course, we would always advise members of the public to wait for assistance from our professionally trained firefighters whenever possible but we would like to recognise the bravery of Peter and Caroline in these very special cases.”

Traffic officer, Peter Senior, 49, from Cedar Crescent, in Burnopfield, saved a 52-year-old biker, from Pittington, who was thrown into the air and when his Suzuki collided with a Renault Megane, and exploded in a fireball at Thinford, near Spennymoor in August.

The father-of-one got the 40-year-old driver from Thornley to safety from her car and also rescued the injured biker.

He said: “A lot of it was just instinct to realise two people’s lives were at risk and I had to do something. I am overwhelmed by this award. I did not expect it.

“I was a bit shocked by all the publicity it got at the time and everything died down and then I was contacted to say I was up for an award. I am really pleased about it. It is an honour.”

Mother-of-two Caroline Tennant helped drag Eileen Anderson away from a burning house moments before a window exploded, sending shards of glass flying across the garden.

The 43-year-old, of Oakale Road, in Consett, who works as a duty manager at B&M, said: “You could see where the window was bevelling and it was going to go, so I picked her up and dragged to the other side of the road. My daughter and son alerted the neighbour next door and I went back to the other neighbour, then the window blew out.

“I just acted at the time and did not think about it. It is nice to get award though and I have had a lot of good feedback from people.”