TRAPPED upstairs with a fire raging in her living room below, Siobhan Stephenson believed she, her partner and her two-year-old son were minutes away from death. Choking on the rapidly spreading smoke, the terrified young mother dialled 999 and made one of the most important and distressing calls of her life.

Control room operator Gemma Woodhouse answered that call and her calm manner and vital survival advice helped the family keep their cool during the minutes it took for the fire engines to arrive at the house in Bishop Auckland.

Her “exemplary” actions did not go unnoticed. On Wednesday, July 27, Ms Woodhouse, from Thornaby, and the brave firefighters who rescued the family were commended by Stuart Errington, chief fire officer at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

Miss Stephenson, 21, has also praised Ms Woodhouse, stating:“She was so calm and told me what to do. This helped me to stay calm even though I was scared. I thought we were going to die and I told her that. She told me we weren’t going to die and that the firefighters were on their way.”

The fire broke out at about 1am on May 15. The family were woken by the smoke alarm and initially tried to escape from a back first floor window before taking refuge in the front bedroom.

Firefighters arrived at the East Parade property within six minutes and helped the couple to escape. Mr Elder had collapsed from smoke inhalation and was carried to safety by crew manager David Welsh – thankfully he recovered fully. Two-year-old Frankie was passed down from the bedroom to a neighbour, Paul Twin, just minutes before the crews arrived.

Mr Errington said: “Listening to a recording of the 999 call we can appreciate how frightening it is for people as they wait for help as fire takes hold. Gemma’s advice and manner during this distressing call was exemplary. She dispatched the crews within 49 seconds of receiving the call and was able to keep all three people safe and calm as our firefighters responded within six minutes.

“Blue watch demonstrated quick thinking, bravery and great teamwork to get everyone out safely and extinguish the fire.”

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