National nod for Peter Wilson and two others who braved extreme heat and flames to save others

One of three South Aussie men honoured for bravery with national awards says he is proud of the others who fought with him when disaster struck.

A retired firefighter who was thrust back into the flames while on holiday has been recognised with a national bravery award for his attempts to save a man from a burning house.

Salisbury Park man Peter Wilson – alongside friend Mark Stephens and five others – has been awarded a Group Bravery Citation by the Governor-General for his actions during a house fire at Elmhurst, Victoria on 28 December, 2019.

The efforts to save the man’s life were in vain, but the group has been recognised for putting themselves in harm’s way.

For Mr Wilson, who was wearing shorts and thongs at the time, it was a simple misunderstanding that drew him towards the tragedy that quickly unfolded.

He had been at a caravan park with Mr Stephens when they had been told someone was burning off nearby.

“Half of Australia was on fire at that point and we were wondering why the hell someone would be burning off. We went to go help put out the fire,” he said.

Peter Wilson is receiving a national group bravery award for his attempt to save a man from a burning house in Victoria. Picture: Emma Brasier

But when they arrived at the location, they quickly realised it was much more serious.

“When we arrived we saw the flames starting to penetrate the roof of a house,” he said.

When local police officer leading Senior Constable Grant Healey arrived, Mr Wilson was told it was a well-known man who they had been drinking with at the pub just hours earlier.

The pair kicked the back door down, while Mr Stephens used a hose at the front of the house to try and extinguish the fire.

“Grant went in because he knew the layout of the house and I stayed out because of what I was wearing,” he said.

“Grant sort of went down halfway out with the victim, so I took one single breath and ran in there to help him drag him out.”

They tirelessly administered CPR on the victim and used a defibrillator that Mr Wilson kept in his car until paramedics arrived.

Tragically, the man couldn’t be saved.

Mr Wilson said everyone from the firefighters to the police officers were incredibly brave on that day.

“I think everyone involved deserves this award, I’m not sure if I do, but I’m super proud of the other guys,” he said.

Peter Wilson will receive a bravery award for his attempt to save a man from a burning house in Victoria. Picture: Emma Brasier

Mark Stephens (right) with Leading Senior Constable Grant Healey (centre) and Peter Wilson (left). Picture: Supplied

“For me, it’s just what we do, people run away from fires, but we run towards them.”

Among the other South Australians recognised for their bravery was Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer James Edmund Wilson for his efforts during a submarine fire at Rockingham in Western Australia.

He responded to two fires on the HMAS Waller stationed at Fleet Base West just hours apart.

When attending the second blaze, he and a colleague were met with thick smoke and extreme heat, with visibility further affected by limited emergency lighting.

They determined the fire was being fed by compressed air bottles that could explode at any time.

Petty Officer Wilson blindly reached through the fire to isolate the air bursts.

He has been awarded a commendation for brave conduct.