Two quick-thinking district nurses are being hailed as heroes after saving an 89-year-old man from a chip pan fire in his home.
Paula Phillips and Karen Davies, both district nurses with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, arrived at the home of Rhys Bevan on Bryn Road, Pontllanfraith, at around 9.30pm on Wednesday 12th June to provide medical care. But what they found was far from routine.
Mr Bevan, who was sitting in the living room with his dog, was unaware of the fire that had broken out in his kitchen. His fire alarms were sounding, but he believed the noise was coming from the television. Sensing danger, Paula quickly called the Fire Service while her colleague Karen bravely entered the smoke-filled kitchen. Without hesitation, she threw a damp towel over the flaming chip pan and carried it outside to safety.
Speaking after the incident, Karen said: “It all happened so quickly – there was no time to think. The kitchen was thick with smoke and we could see the flames. I just knew we had to act fast to keep Mr Bevan safe.”
Paula added: “We’re just so relieved we arrived when we did. The most important thing is that Mr Bevan is okay. That’s what matters.”
Mr Bevan’s daughter, Ceri-Anne Sharp, 42, a shop assistant from Blackwood, said the nurses’ actions likely saved her father’s life. “I’m extremely grateful that the two district nurses got there when they did and saved my dad’s life,” she said. “It could have been a lot worse – the firefighters who came to the house said in another 4 or 5 minutes the fire would have spread into the rest of the house. The kitchen is damaged beyond repair and the chip pan was totally destroyed.
“We definitely won’t be getting my dad a new one. We have bought him an air fryer instead, which he calls a ‘hair dryer’! The bravery of the nurses was fantastic and I’ll be forever thankful for what they did.”
Jennifer Winslade, Executive Director of Nursing at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, praised the nurses for their actions. She said: “This is a powerful example of the vital role our district nurses play – not only providing care and support in the community, but responding with incredible courage in emergency situations. Paula and Karen acted instinctively, calmly and bravely. We’re incredibly proud of them.”
Mr Bevan is now recovering well, with his dog – and new air fryer – by his side.
