Brave Bradley, who modestly refused to speak to StokeonTrentLive, broke down the security door before running to rescue the trapped men and women between the ages of 20 and 60. Unfortunately, a woman, in her 40s, died in the fire off Trentham Street. She is now locally named Penny Kelsey. READ MORE: Shocking CCTV footage shows a group of young people mutilating a dead bird Chris Hall, 50, of Newstead, spoke to Bradley after the fire. He told StokeonTrentLive: “This guy is a hero and this is no exaggeration. He drove past the facility, saw what was happening, turned and broke down a door, the main door that led him there, and then continued his work by making everyone aware. “There were no smoke alarms on the property. He risked his life, he did not have to. So many other people had passed. He was kicking doors, knocking on doors, doing everything he could to make sure people got out of there. “Some of the residents helped him as soon as they realized it. He even tried to get into the burning apartment, which makes no difference. Police, paramedics and firefighters at Tollgate Court, Trentham Road, Blurton (Image: Stoke Sentinel) “He was so humble, as if he had done nothing. I really hope he gets recognized for what he did. It just proves that not all heroes wear capes. “He went out of his way and he was just a young man himself.” An evacuation point had been set up at the nearby Gables pub. Chris added: “I talked to him afterwards, helping in the pub where people were being evacuated. “People have said they have to thank him for their lives. To change your whole plan in a fraction of a second, without even considering the risk, he would not know what was going on. “Young people accept so many words nowadays that they do not respect such things. It just shows that we can not pitch to everyone with the same brush. “Gables is just across the street and the staff has stepped up and provided free food and drink to all the residents while they were basically homeless. I think that shows that they are very sociable. A woman died in the fire (Image: Stoke Sentinel) “The council has resettled people temporarily, the apartments were privately owned, they were not really obliged to do that.” The evacuated residents have not yet been informed when they can return to Tollgate Court, which has been severely damaged by smoke. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived at the scene to find the fire in a low-rise apartment on Tollgate Court with firefighters working to evacuate residents. “Unfortunately, nothing could be done to save a woman inside the property and her death was confirmed on the spot. “Crews assessed several patients who had been evacuated from the building and were all evacuated to the scene.” A Staffordshire police spokesman said: “Police were called by the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at 11.19am at Tollgate Court on Trentham Street. Police officers were present along with the ambulance service. “Unfortunately, a 40-year-old woman was pronounced dead by paramedics shortly afterwards. Her closest relatives have been informed. The official identification will be made in due course.” NEWSLETTER: Mark Get ready for email notifications from StokeonTrentLive directly to your inbox here Read more related articles Read more related articles
