Girl, 11, praised after laptop fire (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Girl, 11, praised after laptop fire

7:00am Monday 8th October 2012 in News

A QUICK-thinking 11-year-old girl has been praised for her brave actions after she was burnt when her laptop went up in flames.

Katie Coldrick’s clothes were also set alight when the laptop caught fire as she used it but instead of panic, the youngster, who was only 10 at the time, followed the ‘stop, drop and roll’ fire procedure to put out the flames.

Acting “calmly” and “sensibly”, Katie stopped still, dropped to the floor and rolled on the ground to deprive the fire of oxygen, during the incident last August.

The youngster had been taught the procedure by firefighters visiting her school.

Katie was presented with a certificate of commendation award by Derek Prodger, chairman of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue authority, during a special awards ceremony for firefighters and staff, at the Guildhall, in Worcester.

Mr Prodger, who is also a Conservative Worcestershire County councillor, said: “Katie’s laptop caught fire when she was using it last year, burning her and setting her clothes alight.

“She didn’t panic but instead followed the ‘Stop, Drop & Roll’ advice she’d been given when the fire service visited her school.

“She even remembered to unplug the laptop before pouring water over it to put out the fire.

She was extremely calm and sensible for one so young and she thoroughly deserves this award.”