These two quick-thinking PCSOs have been praised for helping free a man trapped in a house fire.

PCSO Kyle Fowler and PCSO Dan Hurst, of the Cudworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, were the first at the scene of the blaze at a house in Cudworth, Barnsley, on Thursday March 4 2010.

The pair were faced with flames licking the front door and one man trapped upstairs.

As PCSO Hurst alerted South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, PCSO Fowler ran back to Cudworth Police Station to collect ladders and two fire extinguishers.

PCSO Hurst attempted to fight the fire with the extinguisher whilst PCSO Fowler climbed the ladder to break an upstairs window and help the man out of the burning building.

Fire-fighters arrived moments later to extinguish the fire completely.  The rescued man suffered smoke inhalation.

To honour their bravery the two officers received a District Commander’s Commendation certificate from Barnsley District Commander Andy Brooke on Wednesday 28 April.

Chief Superintendent Brooke said: “It was my privilege to prepare and present this award to two excellent PCSOs who acted selflessly in saving the occupant of the house from serious injury or worse. They are a credit to the district, I am proud of them.”

Sergeant Stephanie Smith, of the SNT, nominated them.

She said: “The commendation is much deserved. There is no doubt that the actions of these PCSOs saved the trapped man from serious injury. Due to PCSO Hurst’s quick thinking to use the extinguisher from Cudworth Police Station, the fire turned out to be relatively minor.”