Hero who saved man from Selsey caravan fire is honoured

Kevin Archer, 61, smashed his way into the burning caravan with a rotary washing line after spotting smoke and being unable to open his neighbour’s door.

The major fire took place at a caravan park in Bunn Leisure Holiday Park in Selsey in April this year.

As flames and thick black smoke filled the caravan Kevin, from Oriel Road, Portsmouth, could hear someone at the other end of the caravan.

He smashed through a second door, shouting at the occupant to keep low and come towards him.

He eventually went in to the burning structure and pulled the man out, after spotting his arm on the floor.

Kevin has been awarded a Commendation Certificate from chief fire officer Sean Ruth.

Mr Ruth told award recipients: “It is a real privilege and honour for us to be able to recognise all that you have done which, in many cases, has involved putting others before yourselves.

“In one way or another you have made a difference and we are extremely grateful.”

The blaze, at the White Horse Caravan Park, in Selsey, was so severe that when fire crews arrived, just six minutes after being called, the caravan had burnt down to half of its height, leaving a shell for them to deal with.

An awards ceremony, held at West Sussex Fire & Rescue headquarters in Chichester on Friday night, heard that, without Kevin’s actions the man would never have survived the incident on April 20 this year.

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