Bravery award for fire heroA Milford Haven man has been honoured for bravery shown in rescuing a woman from a burning car earlier this year.

Mr Colin Lewis, and his wife, Evelyn, were travelling through Carmarthen, when they saw a three-car smash at the Pensarn roundabout. With all three cars ablaze, Mr and Mrs Lewis rushed to the aid of injured passengers.

Mr Lewis, a former warrant officer with 37 years Army experience, smothered the flames of one burning victim by rolling her over.

His wife then told him she could hear children screaming from a burning Ford Sierra. Mr Lewis approached the car to see 27-year-old Rachel Williams slumped against the passenger seat, unable to breath.

A Dyfed Powys Police report says: With total disregard for his own safety, Mr Lewis forced open the drivers door and placed his entire torso into the burning vehicle to remove the woman driver to safety.

The report concluded that, had it not been for Mr Lewis bravery, Ms Williams would have died in her car. Ms Williams has since made a full recovery.

Mr Lewis, aged 66, from Herbrandston, was invited to Police Headquarters in Carmarthen in October and was presented with a certificate of commendation from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire.

l The society was originally set up in 1836 to provide fire escape ladders throughout London. It was taken over by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in 1867 and has remained linked to the fire service ever since.

Mr Lewis, pictured with his wife Evelyn, and Chief Constable Terrance Grange, of Dyfed Powys Police, after the awards ceremony earlier this month.