A heroic publican has been praised for his quick actions in tackling a fire that broke out inside a Swindon takeaway and by making sure the children who lived there were safe.
Jamie Stapleton, 41, who owns the Tuppeney was on his way to work from his home at around 3pm on Sunday when he noticed that the Welcome Express Chinese takeaway, two doors down from his venue, was ablaze.
After making sure that two children and an adult who lived in the flat above the food establishment had made their way outside were okay and cared for, Jamie at first single-handedly fought the fire, which was violently leaping out of a commercial chimney.
He used fire extinguishers provided by his own pub, as well as other nearby businesses.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue fire crews were then able to put out the fire, saving most of the building apart from the kitchen, which is completely destroyed.
Firefighters were also able to rescue the worried family's cat in a moment caught on film by neighbour Ayasha Rahman, much to their relief.
The fire brigade has said that without Jamie jumping to action and displaying quick thinking that the building might have been lost to the flames.
DW Fire Station Manager Dave Slawinski said: “Mr Stapleton, from the neighboring business, called in the fire and his quick thinking and calm approach ensured that everyone involved were safe.
"He also provided hot drinks and shelter for the children and owner of the takeaway, whilst our crews extinguished the fire and rescued a cat from the flats above. I’d like to personally thank Jamie for his actions, which demonstrated true community spirit in supporting his neighbours.”
The Friends of Old Town community organisation publicly praised Jamie with a Facebook post, which said: "A huge thanks from the community of Old Town must go to Jamie from The Tuppenny... He stepped in, tried to control the fire with extinguishers, looked after the victims in his pub, and helped firefighters when they arrived on the scene. Amazing!"
The man himself has denied doing anything extraordinary, however.
"I live close to the pub and was walking to work - a little bit late - when the first thing that struck me was the smell of smoke and a chip pan fire. As I got closer I thought my pub's waste bin was on fire and then I realised it was the Welcome Express," Jamie said.
"I could see thick yellow smoke billowing out of the chimney on the extraction unit and then suddenly it erupted into flames."
Jamie says he found two children and an adult cousin in the alleyway behind the building having evacuated, but he had to stop them from trying to go back inside to rescue their cat.
After providing them with shelter in his pub and giving them hot chocolate, Jamie armed himself with as many fire extinguishers as he could manage.
"Flames were shooting out of the bottom of the chimney as well as the top and I knew that it wouldn't be long until the whole building would go up so I emptied the fire extinguisher there and kept going.
"I was told by firefighters that this saved the building and I've had messages all day calling me a hero. But there's no such thing as a hero really - just human beings doing what anybody would do. It was just my turn, I was in the right place at the right time."
But one witness, who wrote into the Adver, and wished to remain anonymous, said: "I think that deserves a bravery award as many people would have stood back and waited for the fire service to arrive."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel