Matthew Olive, who works at UCAS’ Rosehill offices in Cheltenham, combined his fire training and quick thinking when he extinguished an under-bonnet fire in a car belonging to UCAS employee Mark Bentley.

Mark Bentley was approaching the site’s reception access barrier when he noticed smoke and a burning smell coming from the front of the vehicle. He got out of the car, opened the bonnet and saw that flames had started to come from the engine compartment.

Matthew, whose attention Bentley had attracted through the reception window, recognised the urgency of the situation and extinguished the fire before it could spread to the rest of the vehicle or endanger nearby life or property. He instructed Mark to keep others at a safe distance from the car while the fire was being extinguished.

Matthew’s fire training – received as part of his training by Securitas – enabled him to select the appropriate fire extinguisher for the hazard and take the appropriate mitigating action. Not only did this enable the fire to be quickly contained, but the car was moved to an isolated location on the site and there was no need for emergency services to be alerted. Access to the site was also uninterrupted.

Matthew has been nominated for an Outstanding Act for the Securitas Community Award this quarter as a result of his decisive, safe and courageous actions, which clearly reflect the company’s fundamental values of vigilance and helpfulness.

Driver Mark Bentley commented: “I would like to praise Matt for his quick response and bravery in putting the fire out, as I had no means to do so myself. It was a potentially dangerous situation and his selfless actions ensured that no further damage occurred.”

UCAS Head of Facilities, Finance, Dean Griffiths said: “Matthew is a part of a great team of three at Rosehill. On this day in question he showed his strengths, in thinking quick and reacting fast, he put the safety of others first. His quick thinking certainly helped the situation from getting out of control.“