Scout is hailed a hero after saving his family from house fire

Schoolboy Jonathan Cameron was at home in Garvald Street with his mother Alison McCready and his little sister Lily Cameron when the cooker suddenly went on fire.

Instead of panicking, the youngster put into practice the fire safety skills he learned at the scouts - by phoning the emergency services and leading his mum, little sister and neighbours to safety.

His heroic actions have now been commended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who presented him with a special bravery award.

His proud mum Alison, 38, said: "What he did was unbelievable.

"I always knew he was a very mature boy but to see him doing that, it was just absolutely amazing.

"He is a hero.

"Without Jonathan being there, it could've been a lot worse.

"He was tremendous."

Modest Jonathan told the Tele: "I'm used to it in scouts as they teach you to be calm.

"I've got my fire safety badge so I knew what type of fire it was and what to do."

It was back on January 28 at tea time when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.

Alison said: "My daughter Lily, who was six at the time, was upstairs playing and me and Jonathan, who was 12 at the time, were in the kitchen cooking.

"We started to smell burning from the cooker as if something was sitting on one of the rings.

"I looked at the back of the cooker and I could see bright orange so I knew it was on fire.

"Jonathan shouted upstairs to Lily to get out.

"All the electricity had tripped but for some reason I panicked and I opened the back door thinking I was going to air the house not realising it would make the fire spread.

"I then tried to get to the electricity under the stairs even though it had already tripped - I was panicking.

"But throughout it all, Jonathan was amazing.

"He had already phoned the fire brigade and phoned his dad at work and his granny and granddad.

"He got everyone out and also ran to our neighbours next door and got them out, just in case the fire spread."

Jonathan, now 13 and just about to finish his first year at Clydeview Academy, said: "When I saw what was happening, I got everyone out and went and told the neighbours and phoned the fire brigade.

"The firefighters said I did well at keeping everyone calm and that what I did was good.

"I'm now thinking about being a firefighter when I'm older."

Amidst all the panic, Jonathan calmly helped the firefighters when they arrived.

Alison added: "Jonathan told them everything that happened and Lily later handed out cookies she had made to the firefighters.

"One of the firefighters said he could tell Jonathan was a scout because he had quick reflexes."

Jonathan's dad Donald Cameron, 37, who was at work at the time of the blaze, says he is very proud of his son's actions.

He said: "It's just fantastic.

"It's not what you expect from a 12-year-old.

"He's always very calm and helpful."

Firefighters say Jonathan's swift actions saved the day and prevented the house from serious damage and, more importantly, prevented anyone being injured in the blaze.

In recognition of his life saving actions, the Scottish Fire and Rescue service presented him with a bravery award in front of his scout group, the 32nd Greenock and District.

Graeme Binning, fire service area commander said: "It gave me great pleasure to join the Greenock Scout group to present Jonathan with the certificate in recognition of his bravery.

"His actions during the unfortunate incident without doubt led to a quick and safe outcome.

"I commend Jonathan’s quick, calm and decisive actions which I’m sure are due in no small part to the sense of responsibility and citizenship which comes from being a scout."

Scout leader Mark Sinnamon also praised Jonathan.

He said: "Jonathan has shown great bravery and he used all of his scout training in the correct way.

"He is an inspiration and an example of a good scout who has used his skills for life for the benefit of others.

"We are all very proud of him."

Alison says everyone is so proud of Jonathan.

She said: "The fire chief said this is the very first bravery award of its kind which is amazing."

Donald added: "It was a very proud moment for us."