Hero hotel workers honoured

The brave actions of two men who helped to evacuate a Staffordshire hotel that had been deliberately set on fire have been recognised.

On Friday (15 November), Mahamood Egaal and Mohsin Ali Saad each received a High Sheriff of Staffordshire Award during a ceremony at Stafford Crown Court.

The award, presented by High Sheriff Julia Mitchell and HHJ Kristina Montgomery and HHJ John Edwards, recognises acts of bravery, courage and selflessness.

On Saturday 2 December last year, and Mohsin (pictured left) and Mahamood (right) were at the Hatherton Hotel, in Penkridge, when a fire broke out inside the building.

The quick-thinking pair went to the room where the blaze started and pulled a man to safety.

After carrying him out of the hotel, Mahamood and Mohsin went back inside to guide other people out of the building.

Around 30 firefighters were on scene at the height of the blaze.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Byron Gillespie, said: “This was an exceptional feat, particularly when you consider the fact that the hotel housed more than 80 people on the night in question. Due to Mahamood and Mohsin’s courageous and quick-thinking actions, no-one was seriously hurt.”

Following a trial at Stafford Crown Court in October, a 24-year-old man, from Penkridge, was found guilty of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He is due to be sentenced in January.