A Sheffield fire hero who rescued a man from a burning Batemoor flat has been decorated with a top fire service award.

Asa Fitzpatrick and colleague Jason Revill acted quickly after spotting smoke billowing from the window of the second floor flat on Whinacre Close, Batemoor, Sheffield early one morning last October.

Spotting a man stranded on the balcony of the flat, the pair leapt onto scaffolding at the rear of the flats, climbed onto the balcony of the property next door and alerted a neighbour to let them in, allowing them to use the escape balcony.

Together, the two men pulled the stranded man to safety, saving his life and staying with him until the emergency services arrived.

Now the two brave men have picked up a Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation- the highest fire service award a member of the public can win for displaying life saving bravery in South Yorkshire.

Asa Fitzapatrick was presented with his certificate at a formal ceremony in front of fire crews, family and friends at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Mansfield Road fire station, Sheffield.

Following the presentation, the specially invited guests spoke to firefighters and dignitaries and were offered a tour of the fire station.

Jason Revill has also received a commendation certificate recognising his actions on the day.

Asa said: “The fire service does a fantastic job. So to be able to come to the fire station with my family and pick up this award, for what was a natural reaction on the day, has been a massive honour.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Shaw said: “These occasions are extremely important to the fire service. As an organisation, we aspire to be a part of the communities in which we operate, so to properly recognise examples of bravery and heroism displayed by individuals in our communities, is vital.

“Our normal advice to people in the event of a fire is to get out, stay out and call 999. However, we recognise that in exceptional circumstances such as this one, public acts of bravery are appropriate and should be recognised as such.”