Why it matters: Their quick thinking and courage prevented what fire chiefs say could have been a fatal incident, demonstrating how workplace training can prove life-saving in unexpected situations.
Stephen Hobbs, along with his son Joseph and colleague Jack Lord, were working as a repair team across the road from a house on Grange Farm Road when Stephen noticed large amounts of black smoke coming from an upstairs window.
The rescue: Stephen ran to the house while Jack fetched their van's fire extinguisher. Stephen banged hard on the front door, waking the only occupant who had been asleep in the room that had caught alight.
"He let me in, and while Joseph helped him get away from the house, Jack and I were able to put out the fire," Stephen said.
The teenager made a full recovery despite suffering from smoke inhalation. The fire, which caused extensive damage to the bedroom, was later determined to have been caused by a hair dryer left switched on that subsequently overheated.
The recognition: Stephen has already received a certificate of commendation from The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, following a nomination by recently retired Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Crew Manager Glen Saunders.
Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey invited all three men to the awards ceremony after learning of Joseph and Jack's vital roles in the rescue.
"They showed outstanding bravery, quick thinking and teamwork, and their actions undoubtedly saved a life and prevented considerable damage to the property," Lacey said.
What firefighters found: Glen Saunders, one of the first firefighters on scene with Ipswich East fire station's Blue Watch, said four fire engines were mobilised, but the three engineers had already extinguished the flames by the time crews arrived.
"Had they not acted as they did that day, we could very well have been attending a loss of life incident," he said.
The training advantage: As gas engineers working with highly flammable substances, all three men had received fire safety training from Cadent.
Vicky Grieve, Network Director for Cadent in the East of England, said: "As soon as they realised that something was wrong, they sprang into action and were able to use their training to ensure the safety of the occupant and extinguish the fire."
The safety message: Despite praising their actions, fire chiefs used the opportunity to remind the public that their advice upon seeing or suspecting a fire is always to call 999 and stay a safe distance away.
Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, said: "Their instinct to help, combined with the safety awareness gained through their work, made a life-saving difference."
The bottom line: Three ordinary workers became heroes through quick thinking and courage, but their story also serves as a reminder to unplug heat-generating appliances after use, keep escape routes clear, and test smoke alarms monthly.
