A BEULAH man who dragged a badly injured neighbour to safety from his blazing home has received a bravery award from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Back in September the Cambrian News reported how dad-of-three Richie Coombs, 41, was being hailed a hero after rescuing Peter Neal from the ruins of his home following a huge explosion.

And Mr Coombs’ “brave and selfless act” was officially recognised when he received the Chief Fire Officer’s Exceptional Achievement Award at the service’s Celebrating Success awards ceremony in Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall last week.

Chief fire officer Chris Davies said: “In the early hours of 7 September, Mr Coombs was awoken by the sound of an explosion in a neighbouring property in Bryngwyn.

“As he approached the address, Mr Coombs could see that the property was well alight, engu­lfed in fire with smoke billowing from the entrance door and windows."

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