Our hero misses out on top award

Ray Barlow

AN Oldham Council worker who helped to rescue a family from a burning building has narrowly missed out on a national bravery award.

Street Scene employee Ray Barlow was pipped to the post at the Council Worker of the Year Awards — a competition for the unsung heroes of local government — which was held in Bournemouth last week.

The 23-year-old was walking to work in August last year when he spotted the blaze at PM Food and Wine in Ashton Road.

With smoke filling the flat above the shop, owner Pravin Vekaringa and eight members of his family had escaped through a bathroom window on to the roof.

Quick-thinking Ray helped Mr Vekaringa get his family down to safety before the fire brigade arrived.

As soon as the drama was over and Ray knew that everyone was safe he rushed off to work in a bid to clock in on time.

Others categories at the awards, which were presented by the BBC’s Jeremy Vine, included Innovation, Care and Commitment and Lifetime Service.