THE fireman who lost his life saving victims of the King's Cross
disaster blaze has been posthumously awarded the George Medal.
Station Officer Colin Townsley is among firemen, policemen and others
honoured for their courage during the fire in which 31 died at the
London underground station 18 months ago.
The London Gazette citation accompanying the medal, the second highest
award in Britain for civilian bravery, says Mr Townsley chose to stay
inside the station without breathing apparatus to help victims while his
men prepared to fight the blaze.
Panic broke out when there was a build-up of acrid smoke, fire flashed
over the station concourse ceiling, and passengers rushed for the exits.
The citation adds: ''Station Officer Townsley remained within the
booking hall area to assist as best he could those seeking to escape
until he was overcome by toxic fumes. He was found lying on the floor
close to a badly burned woman.''
With ''total disregard for his own safety'', he had remained within
the concourse to assist passengers to escape. ''He displayed selfless
devotion to duty and gallantry of a high order when faced with
conditions of extreme danger.''
Queen's Gallantry Medals were awarded to a second London fireman and
to two British Transport Police constables.
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