A HERO policeman told how he wept tears of joy after saving a ten-month-old baby girl from a fierce house blaze.

Father-of-two PC Bob Greenall, 41, risked his own life to rescue little Antonia Carey from her burning home in Eastbourne.

Last night he spoke of the terrifying moments when he thought she had died, and the incredible relief when she spluttered back to life.

PC Greenall, who has been a policeman in Sussex for 23 years, was first at the scene of the first-floor bedroom fire in Milfoil Drive, Langney.

Mattress

He was confronted by several panicking onlookers, including Antonia's mother Susan.

Builders working nearby also tried to reach Antonia before the flames got to her but were driven back.

Without a second thought PC Greenall dashed into the house and up to the rear bedroom.

Intense heat and smoke from a burning mattress twice forced the 6ft 2in policeman, from Little Common, back out of the room.

He said: "When I arrived at the house I went on to auto-pilot. There were people everywhere shouting and screaming, saying: 'There is a baby inside'.

"I tried to get into the room but the smoke literally threw me out. It was so dark I couldn't see a thing.

"I went to get a torch and when I came back I could hear a baby crying.

"I knew this was it. It was now or never. I got something wet to put on my face and then, from the flames lighting up the room, I saw two little legs hanging from the side of a cot.

"Then the crying stopped. I thought we had lost the baby.

"I got on the floor and crawled over to the cot. I grabbed the baby but she felt very limp. I ran down the stairs, patting her chest as I did so.

"As I stepped out of the house I heard her gasp. It was an amazing moment.

"I handed her to somebody and then just collapsed. I was exhausted."

PC Greenall travelled to Easbourne District General Hospital with baby Antonia, Susan, and her three-year-old son Daniel.

Susan and Daniel had managed to escape the blaze without injury but were treated for smoke inhalation.

When they arrived, the baby was taken immediately for an emergency check-up.

PC Greenall said: "I was told to sit in a cubicle after being checked over.

"Suddenly the curtain went back and there in front of me was the woman with her baby in her arms.

"It was the most fantastic moment. Neither of us could say anything, we just looked at each other. I cried. It made it all worthwhile.

"I do not feel like a hero. I think any of my colleagues would have done the same."

PC Greenall returned to his home to be with his fiancee Dee, 39, a nursing home chef, and his two sons Drew, 13, and Ryan, 16.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.