A HERO has been praised for racing into a burning building to save families from a fire which killed a mum.
Bradley Wilson evacuated ten people in their 20s to 60s from the block of flats after seeing smoke billowing out when he drove past.
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But mum-of-three Penny Kelsey died in the blaze in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Her ex-husband praised her as a great mother.
Underground cable fitter Bradley, in his early 20s, broke through the building’s security door, ran to the end of the floor where the fire started and up two floors to save men and women.
Local resident Chris Hall, 50, said: “That man was a hero. He prevented another Grenfell-style disaster happening.
“He deserves a medal for what he did. The rescuer was shaken up.”
One person was rescued from a balcony as they tried to escape.
Ms Kelsey’s ex-husband, who shared their daughters, 26 and 23, and son, 25, left flowers at the police cordon after his children told him of the fire.
He told The Sun: “What a horrible thing to have happened. It’s very sad. I couldn’t believe that my ex-wife died like this.
“She was a good mum to the kids and they’re distraught by her loss. She always was a really good mother to them all.”
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Evacuated residents of the low-rise Tollgate Court block are unsure when they can return home.
Significant smoke damage is visible to the brickwork and windows to the first and second floors.
The Gables Pub, opposite the block, opened its doors early to give residents shelter and free food and drink. The community took clothes and bedding to the pub too.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: “Crews arrived at the scene to find the fire at a low-rise flat in Tollgate Court with fire colleagues working to safely evacuate residents.
Do you know heroic Bradley Wilson? Email edward.southgate@the-sun.co.uk or call 020 7782 4100
“Sadly, nothing could be done to save one woman inside the property, and she was confirmed deceased at the scene.
“Crews assessed several patients who had been evacuated from the building, and they were all discharged at the scene.”
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: “Police were called by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at 11.19am to Tollgate Court on Trentham Road.
“Officers attended, along with the ambulance service.
“Sadly, a woman in her 40s was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later. Her next of kin has been informed.
Formal identification will take place in due course.”
Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Hazardous Area Response Team rushed to the scene, along with fire crews and police.
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