Welshpool firefighters honoured

A pair of Welshpool firefighters who averted a potential disaster during a stopover in Aberystwyth to “stretch our legs” have been honoured at the Mid and West Wales Fire Service Celebrating Success Awards.

Crew Manager Matt Roberts (top) and Firefighter Ben Astley (bottom) were on their way to Swift Water Rescue training in Llandysul this summer when they decided to stop for a break in Aberystwyth.

“We went to Wetherspoons for breakfast but it was too early so we went for a walk to the front to stretch our legs,” said Ben.

“When we walked past the chippy we noticed flames coming out of one of the fryers. We tried to bang on the window to get someone’s attention but no luck.”

The pair gained access to the chip shop and rescued two workers who were unaware of the blaze. While Ben led them to safety, Matt extinguished the fire with a wet chemical extinguisher.

“We then vented the shop which was filled with smoke and I called for Aberystwyth Fire Station to check the rest of the property and the flats above,” added Ben, who said the pair then “had breakfast and got to the course”.

The heroic act landed them on a shortlist of three for the award, narrowly missing out on the top prize in Swansea.