EXCLUSIVE
BY SOPHIE HAZAN
A PRISON inmate saved a disabled man's life while on day release from a Yorkshire jail.
And he is now in line for a bravery award.
Prisoner Nigel Bailey, 34, had been in Leeds with Barnardo's children charity to help deliver a fireplace as part of a day release programme when the drama unfolded.
The convict had been standing by the charity's delivery van with driver David Chamberlain, 61, in Prosper Street, Hunslet, Leeds, when they saw a man rushing across a nearby lawn with his shirt on fire.
Having previously had fire safety training when working as a gas layer, Bailey, whose home is in Beeston, Leeds, knew he had to act fast and starve the flames of oxygen.
Screaming
Without hesitation he raced after the man who had by now disappeared inside a house. Bailey carried him back outdoors and laid him on the ground where he rolled him over and over to extinguish the fire.
Seconds later charity worker David arrived with blankets from the van which they then both used to further suffocate the flames.
Bailey, who is serving three and a half years for a violent offence at Wealstun open prison in Wetherby, said about his act of bravery: "I just did it without thinking. It all happened so fast.
"He was screaming for me to help him. He was clearly in a lot of shock and pain. I would hate to think what might have happened had we not been there to help."
The injured man, who does not want to be identified, was taken to St James Hospital where he underwent surgery and skin grafts for his burns. He is in a stable and comfortable condition, a council spokesman confirmed.
It is thought the fire was a freak accident caused by a faulty lighter the injured man had replaced in his shirt pocket moments after lighting a cigarette.
The City Council are now hoping to put Bailey forward for a bravery award.
In a letter to the inmate, council Supported Living Manager Diane Tama thanked him, adding: "If you had not acted as fast as you did, it is likely this man would not have survived. "
The rescued man hopes to meet Bailey to personally thank him when he has made a full recovery.
sophie.hazan@ypn.co.uk