FOUR brave police officers who risked their own lives to rescue an unconscious teenage mother and her baby trapped in a burning block of flats in Hatfield have been honoured with national life-saving awards.

Police Constables Mark Cooke, Scott Pearse, Ellie Reeve and Jay Thomas went beyond the call of duty to save 18-year-old Jodie Eyre and her ten-week-old daughter, Danielle, from their smoke-logged flat after a fire broke out on the third floor of the building in Crossbrook on July 16, this year. Their daring rescue was honoured by the Royal Humane Society, which commends acts of bravery, at a special ceremony in London last night.

The officers were sent to the burning building following a call to the fire service. Speaking at a special ceremony in London, the charity's secretary Dick Wilkinson said: “Contact on the telephone with a woman had been lost and it was assumed she was unconscious.

"Both units arrived within three minutes and PC Cooke and PC Pearse forced entry using equipment they carried in their vehicle.

“Despite the huge amount of smoke coming from the flat, all four entered, with PC Pearse and PC Reeve soon finding the baby.

“PC Pearse carried the child to safety while the other three, now struggling to breathe and see, entered the room which appeared to be the source of the smoke.

“They eventually found the unconscious woman still clutching her telephone. PC Cooke and PC Thomas carried her out of the flat to the landing, then PC Thomas carried her in a ‘fireman’s lift’ down the three flights of stairs.

“The other two officers then bravely re-entered the flat to search for other occupants. But after failing to find anyone, or the source of the smoke, they then went to the flat below.

“They again had to force entry and managed to evacuate the occupant before the fire brigade arrived to deal with the fire.

“All four officers were treated for smoke inhalation, but they risked far worse by such prolonged exposure to thick smoke. They risked their own lives to save these residents, and thoroughly deserve their awards.”

The officers, recommended for the award by Hertfordshire Constabulary, will be presented with their medals at a special awards ceremony.