Bravery honour for officers after fatal Rushton blaze
Written by HFM News on 11th July 2026
Five Northamptonshire Police officers who risked their lives trying to rescue people trapped inside a burning house near Desborough have been named regional winners at the national Police Bravery Awards.
Sergeant Will Barr, PC Brad Bowman, PC Nik Hawke, PC Chris King and PC Lewis Desborough were recognised for their actions during the fatal fire in Rushton on 28 Marchth 2025.
Despite their efforts, three people – Emma Conn, her daughter Mayci Fox and Louie Thorn – died in the blaze.
When officers arrived, the property was already engulfed in flames.
PC Brad Bowman immediately ran towards the house carrying a first aid kit after learning people were trapped upstairs. He climbed a ladder in an attempt to reach them through an upstairs window but was forced back by the intense heat.
He said: “The only way I can describe the heat was like opening an oven door and standing too close, but times it by a thousand.
“All I was thinking was there are people in there and there’s a child in there the same age as my son.”
Award winners, with chair of Northamptonshire Police Federation Sam Dobbs ( far left), along with Northamptonshire Police DCC Ash Tuckley (centre) and Chief Constable Gavin Stephens – Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (far right)
Pic: Anderson Photography
At the same time, Sergeant Barr, PC Hawke, PC King and PC Desborough searched for another way into the building.
PC King smashed a window to gain entry and the officers crawled through thick smoke as burning debris fell around them.
Sergeant Barr said: “It felt like my cheeks were melting… the only thing on my mind at that time was to do what I can to get them out.”
As the roof began collapsing, the officers were forced to withdraw.
PC King said: “At the moment tiles and slates were falling from the ceiling, we just had to get out. In another 10 or 20 seconds, we would have been trapped.”
PC Hawke later required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation after suffering the effects of the intense conditions.
The scene of the fatal fire in Rushton
The incident continues to have a lasting impact on the officers.
Sergeant Barr said: “I hope the family know there was a group of people doing absolutely everything they could to get to that family.
“It still bothers me that we could not save them and I would do the same again if I had to.”
PC Bowman added: “I know I did the best I could and put myself at massive risk, but it sort of eats away that I couldn’t save them.”
The officers were honoured as regional winners at the Police Federation of England and Wales’ annual Police Bravery Awards in London.
Northamptonshire Police Federation chair Sam Dobbs praised their actions, saying: “They all displayed exceptional courage and selflessness in the face of unimaginable danger.
“They ran towards a burning building, knowing the risks to their own safety, because their only priority was to do everything possible to save the people trapped inside.
“While the outcome was tragic, their actions embody the very best of policing.”
