A BRAVE couple who burst into a burning home to save their elderly neighbours after a lightning strike have been commended for their actions.

Dog handler PC Dave Bridge and Samantha Bridge, a criminal justice support officer, were woken up by “an explosion” at 3:30am and soon realised their neighbour’s home was ablaze.

The Corringham bungalow burst into flames in June 2023 after being struck by lightning during a storm.

Knowing the couple, Barry, and Margaret, had mobility issues, Dave and Samantha rushed out and braved thick smoke and a collapsing ceiling to rescue them, plus their six dogs and their cat.

Dave said: “Samantha set about getting hold of Barry and Margaret and taking them outside.

“I took all the dogs, one by one, under my arm and put them in the back of their car.

“While I was doing that, the ceilings were alight and the ceiling in the kitchen fell down. The smoke was horrendous – it was stinging your eyes.

“By the time we got outside the whole roof was alight.”

Now the couple have been commended by Chief Con Ben-Julian Harrington for their selfless and quick-thinking actions. 

He said: “It is always a pleasure to commend police officers and staff who have helped to save people’s lives.

“In the true tradition of British policing, Dave and Samantha entered a burning house to rescue their elderly neighbours without thought for their own safety.

“They went above and beyond to save two lives, at great risk to their own.”

Dave and Samantha added how the street is a community where everyone looks out for each other.

After being commended, Dave added: “I was just doing my bit for our neighbours in the street.

“There was no question that we wouldn’t get into their house and get them out. It was an automatic impulse.”

Samantha said: “People down the street were bringing out cups of tea. A couple of neighbours allowed Barry and Margaret to sit in their house until the ambulance came.

“It is lovely that we’ve been recognised but the whole community pulled together that night.”