An odds-on hero – Betting shop manager John Paul Hegarty praised after tackling apartment blaze

Published: 05 August, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A BETTING shop manager has been hailed as a hero after he broke into a burning flat in Chalk Farm and tackled the blaze.

John Paul Hagerty was at work at Metrobet shop in Chalk Farm Road on Saturday when a fire broke out in the upstairs flat while the occupants were not at home.

The 26-year-old went into the street when he heard a commotion outside the shop. It was then he noticed black smoke billowing from the first floor flat.

He said: “My instinct was to grab the fire extinguisher and use it to smash the door in. Then I ran up the stairs and one of my regular customers followed behind me. 

“There was so much smoke the whole place was just black, but we managed to get most of the fire under control with the extinguisher until the engines arrived.”

Mr Hagerty, who was presented with a bottle of champagne and a bottle of Ouzo by the landlord in reward for his swift actions, added: “I’m just relieved no-one was hurt. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I stood by and did nothing. Fire doesn’t wait and I didn’t know if there were people inside.”

Two fire engines attended the scene and the last flames were put out by 3.37pm. Fire investigators believe the fire was caused by sunlight reflecting in a magnifying mirror, which set the curtains alight.

Chalk Farm Road was closed to traffic and buses diverted while fire fighters worked, causing traffic gridlock. Bystanders including large groups of tourists were reported to have filled the pavement until the fire was safely extinguished.

The flat’s occupants declined to comment.