Hero water operative who rescued children from burning building nominated for award for his bravery

A heroic water operative who fought through smoke to save three children from a burning home has been nominated for an award for his bravery.

Darren Stanley, 31, is a repair and maintenance operative for Network Plus on behalf of United Utilities. He was on his way to work with his colleague when the pair spotted smoke emerging from a nearby home.

Darren rushed to the aid of the family inside the home, and managed to help three children and four adults all get out safely. The Stalybridge resident has now been nominated for a bravery award by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

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“We were first on the scene and I wasn’t sure if the alarm had been raised," Darren explained. "I started to bang on the windows and doors but there was no answer, but then someone shouted ‘the window’ and I looked up and saw a child standing there.”

He managed to kick open the front door and run up the stairs through the thick smoke, checking all the rooms for anyone left inside while shouting:“Fire! Fire! Get out!”

After helping six of the people out, Darren realised there was still someone in the property. He turned back around and continued to search through thick smoke until he found an elderly man in the bathroom. Police arrived as Darren was helping him to safety and he continued to help search the ground floor.

Three children and four adults all got out of the property safely thanks to Darren’s bravery. He spent the rest of the day in hospital after inhaling smoke but was back home by evening.

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