Man rescued from a burning building is reunited with police officers who saved his life

A disabled man who was pulled from a burning building by police officers from West Midlands Police has been reunited with his rescuers.

Dave Chilton suffered burns to his legs following an explosion in the workshop in his home in Wolverhampton.

The 63-year-old was blown off his feet after trying extinguish an electrical fire in his workshop at his home in Ashmore Park.

Two passing police officers saw smoke rising from the house and rushed to the scene fighting their way through thick smoke to drag Mr Chilton to safety, West Midlands Police said.

Mr Chilton, who is recovering from his injuries at home, was later reunited with PC Darren Barfield and PCSO Stephen Cosford.

He says what started as an ordinary day of cleaning quickly turned into a life-threatening situation.

He said: “I was taking a break from clearing the workshop when the electricity went off…I went to see what had tripped it when I noticed white smoke coming from the workshop and flames leap across the ceiling.

“I emptied one fire extinguisher and picked up another when there was a huge explosion. I fell over and felt charred wood come crashing down on my legs…the heat was immense and the smoke thick black, choking me.

PCSO Stephen Cosford described the incident as the most dramatic in his policing career so far.

He said: "The workshop was completely gutted…the heat part-melted Mr Chilton’s caravan and another nearby vehicle.