Coleman Fields' blaze rescue boy, Brandon Frederick, ‘going to be all right’
Published: 4th February, 2011
by TERRY MESSENGER
LITTLE Brandon Frederick, the boy rescued from a blaze at his grandparents’ home in Islington, is expected to make a full recovery.
The three-year-old was airlifted to hospital after the fire at the house in Coleman Fields last Thursday.
His uncle, Dennis Frederick, said: “He suffered smoke damage to his lungs but he’s just been released from intensive care and we think he’s going to be all right.”
Brandon was trapped in the blaze which destroyed the interior of his grandparents’ house.
Julian Frederick, 79, and his wife Mary, 78, fled into the back garden with Brandon after the fire broke out in the kitchen of their home.
But Brandon wriggled free and went back into the house as his grandparents watched in horror. Their rescue attempts were beaten back by thick smoke.
Dennis Frederick, 48, said Brandon curled up under a table in the front room of the basement as smoke swirled around him.
He added: “In that situation, Brandon instinctively did the best thing. He closed the door of the room to keep out the smoke and got down low. Smoke rises so he was in the best place.”
Neighbour Tony Shepherd smashed a basement window to let smoke out. When firefighters arrived, he directed them to Brandon, saving vital seconds.
Mr Frederick said: “Our heartfelt thanks go to Tony and the fire brigade – they saved Brandon’s life.”
Brandon’s mum, Angela, 45, from Enfield, who was at work as a university administrator during the drama, was this week with her son at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
Grandparents Julian and Mary are staying at a hotel and are planning to move back once the house is repaired.