A heartwarming reunion took place as 10-year-old Blaine Beattie, who was rescued from a devastating fire in Peterlee, was reunited with the firefighters who saved him.

Blaine endured a harrowing ordeal when the family home caught fire in the early hours of 14 December last year, resulting in burns to 40% of his body. Alongside his older brother Cameron, Blaine was rescued by crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire Service.

Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Blaine’s father, Paul, expressed gratitude to the firefighters, saying, “This has been the most awful experience of our lives, a living nightmare. We have moved into a new home and Blaine will go back to school next month. As we start looking towards the future, I thought it would be helpful for Blaine to meet the firefighters who saved him and his brother. To everyone involved in his rescue – thank you so much, there aren’t really words to express our thanks.”

The fire had already engulfed the first-floor flat when the brave firefighters arrived on the scene. Despite the intense blaze, Blaine and Cameron were successfully rescued through a window. Tragically, the family lost their beloved dog in the fire.

Cameron sustained a burn to his right arm, while Blaine’s injuries were more severe, requiring an extensive hospital stay. A poignant photograph released by the family illustrates the profound impact of the fire on young Blaine, serving as a stark reminder of its devastating consequences.

Watch Manager Mick Corfield, whose crew were first responders at the scene, shared his sentiments, saying, “Us firefighters are always thinking about the people that we’ve helped and are always wondering how they’re getting on. With Blaine being so young, and me being a father of two boys, his story really stuck with me. That’s why it was such a pleasure to have him come to the station and see him up and about but, most importantly, smiling.”

He continued, “His road to recovery is still ongoing but everyone at CDDFRS continues to wish him well and will welcome him back to the station with open arms.”

Corfield also extended his gratitude to his crew for their exemplary service during the rescue operation.

As Blaine’s journey to recovery continues, the fire service emphasizes the importance of fire safety measures, urging everyone to ensure they have working smoke alarms installed in their homes and to test them regularly.

The fire is currently being investigated as suspected arson by Durham Constabulary, underscoring the ongoing efforts to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.