South Yorkshire police doused in fuel as they try to save a man receive a bravery award UK News

In January 2021, Constables Andy Glover, Beth Hindley, Rich Hall and Lynsey Kingston were alerted by a Doncaster service station worker to the appearance and behavior of a man buying fuel, who had suggested that he intended to harm himself.

Police personnel identified the man and an address he was connected to. Shortly after, a man allegedly acted suspiciously at that address and, suspecting it might be the same person, the four officers were sent home.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a man who intended to set the house on fire.

PC Glover said: “Lynsey and I went to the side of the house and it was dark. Suddenly the man came with a canister of liquid, which we assumed was gasoline as we could smell the fumes. He threw it at us and we backed off.

Officers pulled him over and attempted to stop his actions, but the man began throwing gasoline at the house and also at himself.

When officers realized he was going to set the house on fire, they evacuated the family living in the house, along with the neighbors.

PC Glover continued, “The next thing we knew, the house was up like a torch. But we got people to safety.

Firefighters arrived and put out the blaze, but the man who started the fire also set himself on fire and later died from his injuries.

PC Glover said he felt “really scared” when the man threw gasoline at them.

He said: “I’ve been doing this job for 16 years, but that night I thought, ‘This is it, we’re all going to burn.’ Afterwards I was in shock. I went back to my family and thought, “Maybe I wouldn’t have survived. I have never seen anything like it before.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t persuade the man to take another course of action, but he was determined to do what he did.”

At the ceremony held on June 16, the officers received the South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Award and a Chief Officer’s Commendation.

South Yorkshire Police Federation chairman Steve Kent said: ‘Andy, Beth, Rich and Lynsey acted in the best traditions of the police service – trying to save the man’s life without taking any risks to themselves.

“Despite the obvious dangers and harrowing nature of the incident, the four officers demonstrated bravery, professionalism and quick actions, which undoubtedly helped to save the lives of people in the home and properties. neighbours.

“Our colleagues never know what they will face when they answer the call – these four officers are heroes who well deserve a reward for their bravery.”

Steve added: “Our hearts go out to the family of the man who lost his life in the incident.”

PC Hindley and PC Kingston attended the ceremony while PC Hall and PC Glover were unable to attend.