6:23pm Thursday 27th December 2007
By Chloe Lambert
A heroic Tooting fireman who saved a man's life got his blaze of glory last week, when he met Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Michael Coleman had a hero's welcome at 10 Downing Street after winning a Vodafone Life Saver Award.
Mr Coleman, a member of green watch at Tooting fire station, rescued a man from a serious house fire in Streatham last November.
He was one of 10 unsung heroes who met Gordon Brown at a special reception on Tuesday, December 18.
Mr Coleman said: "He was quite down to earth, just like a normal man. He came and shook all our hands and had a chat, and said it was an honour to meet us."
The 27-year-old from Alpington was awarded for his bravery and professionalism when his crew was called to a fire in a three-storey house in Shrubbery Road.
As six engines battled the blaze he entered the house and found a man struggling to breathe on the second floor.
Mr Coleman took him to a window where a ladder could be pitched.
But he saw the casualty's condition was deteriorating rapidly, and immediately removed his own breathing apparatus to allow him to breathe.
He stayed with the man inside the burning building and continued to share his oxygen until he was well enough to be carried down the ladder.
"I was just doing my job," said Mr Coleman, who has been a firefighter for five years.
"That's what I'm paid to do. Whatever situation is thrown at you, there's a way to deal with it."
Despite having shifts this Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, he said he "absolutely loves" the job and is looking forward to saving more lives next year.
"I drive to work not knowing what's going to happen," he said.
"And I love the team environment. You're less like work colleagues and more like a family."
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