Cromer brothers bestowed with award after escaping blaze that destroyed family home

BROTHERS who managed to escape after fire tore through their Cromer home in February are “stoked” to have been given bravery awards by the state’s top fireman.

Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins presenting a CommissionerÕs Commendation to 15-year-old Jack Holland (L) and 12-year-old Kai Holland following a fire at their Cromer home. Pictured at Cromer Public School.

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The heroic brothers who managed to escape after fire tore through their Cromer home in February have been given bravery awards.

Jack Holland, 15, and Kai, 12, were presented with a Commissioner’s Commendation by Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins yesterday at Cromer Public School.

The boys’ mother, Amanda, said while she was always proud of the boys, yesterday was a special day.

“I just can’t believe it – it’s so amazing,” she said.

When asked how they felt about receiving the award, the boys said they were honoured.

“It’s a pretty prestigious award – I’m pretty stoked,” Jack said.

Kai said: “Not many people get this. and for a kid to get it I think is extra special.”

Parents Amanda and Matt with Jack and Kai the day after fire tore through their home. Picture: Martin Lange.

In the early hours of February 7, Jack woke up to an alarm going off and Kai screaming.

The boys’ grandmother, Brenda Isenberg, was looking after them while their parents, Matt and Amanda, were away.

Through thick smoke Jack crawled to the back door and rang triple-0. With Kai frozen with fear in a bedroom on the other side of the house, Jack helped him by encouraging him to get down low and used his phone’s torch to guide him to safety.

Fortunately, Mrs Isenberg escaped through the front of the house.

Commissioner Mullins said he was impressed.

“I attended that fire and without Jack’s bravery and clear thinking, and Kai’s level head, their family could have lost more than their home,” he said.

As part of the school presentation, students gave the boys donated items to ­replace what was lost when the house was destroyed.