18/06/2026
We are very proud of Cdt Staff Sgt Laura Sharman of Melbourn Detachment who helped fight a fire on 29th May. In doing so, she has demonstrated multiple ACF Values and Standards, including Courage, Discipline and Selfless Commitment to Others.
Laura was driving home with her mum Cath, when she spotted flames at the end of a road near her house. She stopped the car and saw that a perimeter hedge and wooden fence were on fire and moving quickly towards the house, with the flames being more than 3 metres tall. There were two passersby already trying to reach the flames with a hose from a neighbour's property, but it wasn't enough. Cath rang the Fire Brigade and Laura went and knocked on other neighbours' doors to get buckets, more help, and access to more water. She was joined by her dad, Melbourn Detachment Instructor Lt Adrian Sharman, and together with a few other people ran backwards and forwards with water, succeeded in preventing the fire reaching the property, and reduced the fire to embers before the fire brigade arrived.
Laura said: “When the situation was unfolding, I felt like my personal concerns were outweighed by how essential it was to help the others who were working to put out the fire and prevent it spreading to occupied houses. Now I feel proud that I helped my community in a time of need, and grateful towards the other individuals who contributed, as without everyone’s combined effort it wouldn’t have been accomplishable.”
Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service
