Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service wish to thank youngster Mia Rogers, of Milford Haven, for her calm and quick thinking in alerting a neighbour to phone 999 to report a fire in a property.

On a Sunday afternoon, (March 28), Mia (who was aged six at the time) was passing the rear of a council owned flat at Howarth Close, Milford Haven, when she noticed smoke coming from the property.

Having been taught the importance of reporting a fire, Mia immediately knocked on a neighbour’s door to inform them. The neighbour then called 999 and asked for the Fire Service.

At 5.52 pm, Joint Fire Control received the call and deployed crews from Milford Haven to attend the property fire in Milford Haven.

The fire was confined to the kitchen area of the ground floor flat and had originated from a tea towel left unattended on an electric hob.

Firefighters extinguished the fire using two breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera.

The Fire Service left the incident shortly after 7 pm.

Crew Manager Rob Makepeace, Milford Haven Fire Station said: “Because of Mia’s fast actions we were able to attend quickly, and the fire wasn’t allowed to escalate. She’s a local hero and an example to everyone.

“The sooner you report a fire the quicker the Fire Service can attend to put the fire out and stop it from spreading.

“Luckily, on this occasion, Mia was on hand to spot the fire and tell someone to phone 999 but I would urge everybody to install working smoke alarms in their homes and test them regularly.

“A working smoke alarm can alert you of a fire sooner and allow you to get out, stay out, phone 999 and ask for the Fire Service.”

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Housing Team have also visited and thanked Mia (who has turned seven years-old since the incident)?for her actions which helped ensure the fire was quickly tackled and extinguished by firefighters.

Mia and her family are Pembrokeshire County Council tenants and Nia Davies, a Customer Liaison Officer with the Housing Team at the Council visited to present Mia with a certificate from Gaynor Toft, Chief Housing Officer, and a £20 voucher to say a big thank you.

Gaynor said: “We can’t thank Mia enough for what she did. At such a young age, to have the speed of thought to go get an adult immediately upon seeing the fire is remarkable.

“Her actions undoubtedly helped prevent a much more serious situation and we felt it fitting to reward her to show our gratitude.”

Mia’s mum Kirsty Rogers said she was really proud of her daughter and it has only just sunk in about what had happened and what she did to help.

Kirsty said Mia had had national newspapers calling to cover the story and the Fire Service has invited her to a tour of the Milford Haven Fire Station and to receive a certificate.

For further Home Fire Safety advice or to talk about the possibility of a Safe and Well Visit by Fire and Rescue Service personnel, please phone 0800 169 1234.???

Alternatively please complete an online Request for a Safe and Well Visit? form on the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service website: https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/your-safety/in-your-home/