Praise for Mr P...the modest fire hero

09 September 2009

MODEST fire hero Pips Archer twice dashed through choking smoke in burning flats to get people out...before he calmly returned to his car and drove off home without taking the plaudits.

The 42-year-old, known as 'Mr P' to friends, had earlier alerted the fire brigade when he came across the blaze in Gilbert Street, Stratford, in the early hours while on his way to his North London home.

"I thought my windscreen had just misted up, but when I pulled over I could see the area was thick with smoke," said the freelance radio presenter and martial arts instructor.

"Then I saw an old lady stagger out of the block. Then I heard people were upstairs. I took a deep gulp of air, ran up the stairs and started banging on doors.

"I could just about see in front of my face. I had to get out because I was losing air as a shouted for people to 'Get out.'"

Back on the street he took another big breath and dashed back in as, amazingly, one confused tenant decided to return to his flat.

After checking with paramedics of the condition of the lady he drove off.

More than 20 firefighters from Stratford and Leytonstone tackled the blaze which left almost a third of the ground-floor flat badly damaged.

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