Police officer goes the extra mile, stops house fire

Constable Ants Mackintosh came to the aid of a lost boy and found himself saving the child's grandmother from a house fire. Photo / File

A Gisborne policeman who came to the aid of a lost boy found himself saving the child's grandmother from a house fire.

The eight-year-old boy got off at the wrong bus stop on his way to a school holiday programme, and after becoming confused about where he was, rang police for help.

Constable Ants Mackintosh picked the boy up and took him home.

But as they opened the door of the house, they found it filled with smoke coming from a large pot on fire on the stove.

Mr Mackintosh lifted the pot and threw it outside.

He then searched the house and found the boy's grandmother asleep on a couch.

He helped her outside, and then put out the pot fire.

If he had arrived five minutes later, the house could have been on fire, Mr Mackintosh said.

"It was just pure luck that I arrived when I did. Thankfully no-one was harmed and the only damage was a bit of smoke throughout the house," he said.

Tairawhiti Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama praised the constable's quick thinking, saying it probably saved the woman's life.

"This was fantastic work by Ants and is a great example of how diverse our job is.

"Our aim is to keep the community safe and Ants has gone the extra mile to do this. We are very proud of him."

The boy's grandmother did not suffer any injuries.