A TRIO of quick-thinking heroes have today been praised after going beyond the call of duty and braving fire and smoke.

A TRIO of quick-thinking heroes have today been praised after going beyond the call of duty and braving fire and smoke.

Dominic Cattermole, Emmanuel Lynch, and Wayne Cawston, community caretakers with Ipswich Borough Homes, save two blocks of flats in the town from potential disaster after reacting fast to the sound of smoke alarms on consecutive days.

Mr Cattermole was working at Roper Court, in Foxhall Road, when he heard an alarm coming from a flat.

He said: “I was doing a regular inspection to the rear of the block when I heard a smoke alarm going off. I knocked on the door but there was no response.”

Concerned a tenant maybe trapped inside, the 35-year-old called the Suffolk Fire Service.

He said: “It was chance I was walking past. I looked through the letter box and saw smoke in the flat.”

Joined by a colleague who drilled through the lock, Mr Cattermole, of Christchurch Street, went into the flat to make sure there was no one inside.

He said: “I was worried someone was inside. Thankfully there wasn't anyone. I didn't really think about myself. There was a lot of smoke. It all happened very quickly.”

The fire, on February 11, was caused by a saucepan which had been left on a hob.

The following day, My Lynch, 38, and 24-year-old trainee Mr Cawston were working at a block of flats in Lovetofts Drive when they found themselves in a similar situation.

Mr Lynch said: “We were checking the intercom system when we noticed smoke coming from one of the upstairs flats. We banged on the door but we got no answer.”

Given a key by a neighbour, the pair entered the flat to check no one was trapped inside to be met by thick acrid smoke.

Mr Cawston said: “It was difficult to see. We were worried as the flats are lived in by elderly people.”

Once inside the duo found a cooker had been left on and was causing the smoke.

Community caretaker manager Paul Eeid said: “I am very proud of what they have done.

“Their quick thinking averted major incident. They are a very dedicated team.”

Has your quick action avoided a disaster? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk