Bodycam footage captures Doncaster officers acting fast to protect guests during hotel fire as man jailed
Bodycam footage captures Doncaster officers acting fast to protect guests during hotel fire as man jailed
Body-worn video footage captured the moment brave Doncaster response officers acted courageously to try and extinguish a burning hotel room before swiftly evacuating all guests.
On Monday 26 January, police received a 999 call reporting a fire at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Balby area of Doncaster.
Officers were deployed to the scene with PC Warren Crowcroft and PC Rowan Burnett entering the hotel to assess the extent of the fire.
Amid concerns for a person's safety in a room filled with smoke, officers tried to push the door open but were forced back by intense heat and flames.
With the assistance of a hotel employee, PC Crowcroft used multiple fire extinguishers to try and douse the flames before switching his attention to ensuring the safety of everyone in the hotel.
He began clearing the hotel floor-by-floor, guiding guests and staff outside to safety.
Once he was sure the hotel was empty, he then directed firefighters towards the room on fire resulting in the blaze being successfully extinguished.
As this was all happening, PC Burnett carried out swift enquiries to locate and apprehend a man suspected of starting the fire.
Doncaster Response Sergeant Hannah Cox praised the pair's actions along with the member of hotel staff who supported our officers during this live incident.
She said: "The actions of PC Crowcroft and PC Burnett epitomise what it means to be a response officer.
"Even when faced with danger, they didn't hesitate entering the building and ensured their main priority was to protect the public and keep them safe from harm.
"Given how quickly the fire took hold, the outcome could have been very different had it not been for their quick thinking and courage, and I am immensely proud of their actions."
Bradley Bennett, aged 32, of Ridgill Avenue, Doncaster, was previously charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the incident.
He later pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on May 21.