‘Brave wee Daithí saved our lives’

A QUICK-thinking Omagh youngster who alerted his mum to a fire in their tumble dryer has been given a top honour by the local police.

Daithí Nugent, who turns five-year-old today (Monday), has received a ‘District Commander’s Commendation’ for the ‘life-saving’ role he played in extinguishing the potentially catastrophic fire in his family home.

His mum, Grainne, told the Tyrone Herald, “We are proud of Daithí everyday, but that day was different. I think Daithí might have saved our lives.”

In September, the St Conor’s PS pupil averted disaster when he alerted Grainne to the fact that their tumble dryer had caught fire, allowing her and her husband, Gary, the chance to beat down the blaze before it got out of control.

As a result of his actions, Daithí, who is ‘obsessed with being a policeman’, has been recognised for his “bravery and quick thinking”.

Recalling the day Daithí became the hero of the house, Grainne said, “I was standing doing the dishes and Daithí was out watching the tumble dryer and washing machine – both of which he was fascinated with at the time.

“Daithí ran into the kitchen saying that there was ‘smoke coming out of the tumble dryer’,” she said.

“I told him it was steam and that it was normal, half scolded him as
you do, and then tried to chase him into the living room,” laughed Grainne.

But Daithí, not one to take orders easily, didn’t heed his mother’s instructions and returned to the utility room.

Grainne continued, “Then he ran into the kitchen again and shouted, ‘There is lots of smoke coming from it now!’”

When Grainne abandoned the dishes to investigate, she discovered that black smoke was beginning to fill the utility room.

“I shimmied Daithí, his three-year-old sister and one-year-old brother into the living room, then ran back out to the utility room.”

Grainne noticed that the flames were lifting from the back of the drum.

“I ripped the clothes out before they caught fire, and then started to fan the flames down with a towel,” said Grainne.

At that moment the front door swung open. Daithí’s father, Gary, had just got home from work.

“Gary came in and took the towel off me and fanned out the flames.”

Grainne and Gary were thankful for Daithí’s vigilance at the time, but with a new tumble dryer to get and the shock of the situation clouding their minds, they didn’t really dwell on what had happened until some time later.

“Our tumble dryer was right beside our boiler and other electrical appliances,” reflected Grainne. “If Daithí had listened to me and went into the living room, there might have been an explosion before I smelt the smoke.”

“We are proud of Daithí everyday, but that day was different. I think Daithí might have saved our lives,” said Grainne.

PSNI Fermanagh and Omagh, in a Facebook post congratulating Daithí, said, “I am sure you will all agree that his actions prevented damage and without a doubt saved lives. A true hero!”