'Shock and awe' for dad at police daughter's response to huge fire

When Andy Beasley thinks about what his daughter did to help, at a huge fire in Stoke-on-Trent, he has two words - "shock" and "awe".

As the blaze broke out in Sandyford last week, Hannah was on the way to another job but was diverted and arrived as the flames were raging - and before the first fire engine had arrived.

"She was straight in, evacuating residents from their homes," her father said.

When he phoned her to check on her, Hannah told him she had taken on smoke, there was black soot coming out of her nose and even her fake eyelashes had melted.

She had only fully qualified as a police officer five months ago and her father said he was just so proud of how she helped at the fire.

"It's essentially a race against time isn't it," Andy said, "you are trying to get people out as you can I think she went back in for pets."

His daughter was also disconnecting gas cylinders from gas barbecues in people's gardens.

The fire, which turned out to have been caused by a disposable barbecue, broke out shortly after 16:00 BST on 13 August and destroyed four homes on Sandy Road.

Six firefighters were taken to hospital after breathing in smoke and suffering from heat exhaustion; five have since been discharged.

Andy, from Eccleshall, took to social media after the fire to praise Hannah after learning about her feats.

He works for West Midlands Ambulance Service and was aware the 22-year-old did not get home from her shift until 01:30 BST the night before.

Andy said he knew of the fire from his line of work but at that time, did not know his daughter was involved.

He later found out after Hannah spoke with his wife who then messaged Andy at work.

"She never looks for recognition; she's just kind, brave and has got the biggest heart" he said.

When asked how he felt about his daughter becoming a police officer, Andy explained: "There's always that in the back of your mind 'is she going to be OK?'"

But he took solace in knowing that she is tougher than she may look.

"When she was doing her initial training, none of the lads wanted to be partnered up with her because they said, 'you don't want Hannah because she beats the hell out of you'."

Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes on Sandy Road and Maureen Avenue due to the fire, taking shelter in the nearby Golden Hill Community Centre and Working Men's Club.

"It's a shame that it takes a major disaster like to this to show what we are all about as humans" Andy said.

"You have got to take your hat off to all the emergency services that responded to all the events throughout the Midlands that happened last Thursday; putting themselves in danger but making sure all the public is safe".

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