"It was instinct to try and help!" - Yorkshire Water Employee Honoured

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has awarded Olly Bell, a Yorkshire Water employee, a District Commander’s Appreciation for his heroic actions when he encountered a fire in Huddersfield town centre.

While on a standby shift, Olly noticed smoke coming from a takeaway restaurant, with several flats above showing signs of smoke logging. Acting quickly, he parked his lorry, alerted emergency services, and entered the building to warn residents and help evacuate them to safety. Thanks to his prompt response, all occupants were safely evacuated before WYFRS crews arrived to extinguish the fire.

Julian King, Watch Commander at Huddersfield Fire Station, praised Olly’s actions, saying: “What Olly did was truly selfless and went above and beyond. Many people may have carried on with their day, but Olly not only called us, he took action to alert the residents. Early warning is critical, and I have no doubt that his bravery saved people from potential serious harm. He should be very proud of himself, which is why I contacted my District Commander to ensure his actions were recognised.”

Olly Bell, a waste resolution jetting technician at Yorkshire Water, responded humbly, saying: “I just did what I thought anyone else would do. The last thing I wanted was for someone to be injured or trapped if the fire spread. It was instinct to try and help.”

Congratulations, Olly!

Follow Us

For more updates, follow us on our social media channels, or follow the hashtag #WYFRS50.