lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

Two Medway police officers who averted a potential disaster at a petrol station have been praised by their bosses and firefighters.

PC Steve Bell (pictured) and PC Mel Marion were on patrol in the early hours of Friday, September 4, when they saw a blue Ford Focus which was on fire, turn into the petrol station in Maidstone Road, Chatham.

The pair saw the underside of the car was alight and the driver was unaware of the danger.

They sprang into action, jumped out of their patrol car and ran to the vehicle, which was just pulling up at the pumps. The pair grabbed a bucket of sand and threw it over the car to dowse the flames and then grabbed an extinguisher to make sure all the flames were out.

Their actions prevented the fire from spreading to the pumps and averted a possible explosion.

Firefighters who were called to the scene at about 1.30am, said the pair did all the right things to make sure the fire was out.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The pair noticed the fire underneath the car and threw sand over it to stop the flames and then used the extinguisher to make sure all the flames were out.

“By the time we arrived the fire had been put out, we just made sure the scene was safe.

“The driver of the focus was a bit shocked by it all, but the police did all the right things.”

PC Bell said: “We spotted the car go into the petrol station. It was extremely lucky we saw it because the driver was completely unaware of what was going on.

“Fortunately we were able to put the fire out and are pleased that no one was hurt.

“We’re not sure what the cause of the fire was, but the driver certainly had a shock when we shouted out to him.”

The senior management team at Medway police station thanked the pair for their actions.

Chief Inspector Mark Arnold added: “The quick thinking and swift actions of our two officers has certainly prevented a potentially dangerous fire starting at the petrol station.

“I would like to thank them for their help.”