Barking brothers, Taylor and Harrison, have today (21 August) received a Recognition Award from the Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council for their quick thinking during the Samuel Garside House fire at Barking Riverside. 

The fire broke out on Sunday 9 June, causing nearly 80 households to be evacuated, with some homes destroyed or damaged. Fortunately, no-one was hurt or killed in the incident. 

Taylor and Harrison, both Fire Cadets who lived in the block, thought quickly on their feet to ensure residents got to safety. Harrison alerted his older brother Taylor to the fire, who sprang into action and called the London Fire Brigade. Taylor then knocked neighbours’ doors to ensure they evacuated as soon as possible and directed the brigade to the site, which helped to speed up the response to the incident. 

The award was presented outside Dagenham Fire Station by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell and London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dany Cotton.

"They truly did Barking and Dagenham proud and are well-deserving receivers of this award.”

Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: 

“These boys demonstrated both community spirit and bravery in their response to the fire at Samuel Garside House, doing what most of us hope we would do in similar circumstances. They truly did Barking and Dagenham proud and are well-deserving receivers of this award.”

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dany Cotton, said: 

“Clear information to our control officers and firefighters in the early stages of an incident is vital to us being able to locate where an emergency is and get the appropriate resources to the scene as quickly as possible. Taylor and Harrison showed maturity and calmness in the initial stages which greatly helped our crews. 

“I am immensely proud of our fire cadets and with the extra funding the Mayor has provided many more young Londoners than ever before will have the opportunity to get involved. But the scheme is not possible without volunteers and I urge anyone over 18 who is interested in giving back to their local area to become a Cadet Instructor as you’ll be responsible for changing the lives of future generations.”

If you're interested in volunteering, visit the London Fire Brigade Fire Cadets website.