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Firefighter who save holy Sikh scriptures honored
WSN Network

LONDON: Firefighter Darren Heather has won a ‘special achievement’ award for saving the bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scriptures of the Sikhs during a fire when he dashed into the blazing gurdwara in East London risking his own safety.

The fire was a result of an arson attack earlier this year.

Heather single-handedly saved the faith community’s scriptures, most precious to the Sikh sangat, from the blaze that gutted the gurdwara in Harley Grove in Bow in March.

“I just did my job,” said hero Darren. “But after seeing the desperation of people when we turned up, there was no question of letting them go into the temple to try to save the holy book.”

He took the initiative and found out from the community leader where the holy scripture was inside the burning gurdwara and went in himself.

Darren was nominated for the award by Poplar fire-station manager Robin Whittington who said: “People were in a terrible state when we arrived and were trying to get into the burning temple. Darren went in with breathing apparatus, found the scripture and brought it out. He didn’t think twice about it, knowing how much this scripture meant to the community.”

The Special Achievement award was presented to Darren by London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson at a ceremony last Wednesday at Brigade HQ.

11 November  2009
 

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