By Lisa Ramsden
A DOWNPATRICK seven-year-old, who played a crucial role in ensuring his family’s livestock and pets were saved when a blaze broke out on their farm, has been honoured for his courage.
Described by the NI Fire and Rescue Service as “a true young hero,” Jacob Mooney has been presented with a certificate, commending him for his bravery.
The fire on the family’s Annadorn Road farm was spotted early on 9 February.
Initially Carrie-Anne Mooney thought their home had been covered in a blanket of thick fog, but soon she realised the barn was on fire.
She and her other son, Tobias (10), ran towards the building, which was well alight and housing sows with their newborn piglets, along with geese and peacocks.
At this stage Jacob knew that as the mobile phone signal was so poor he would have to run to the highest nearby point to ensure the call would not drop out.
He kept the Fire Service’s control room updated on the situation as it unfolded.
Once he heard sirens in the distance, Jacob then sprinted down the lane and waited on the country road so he could tell the firefighters where they needed to turn off.
As a result of his and his family’s endeavours, none of the livestock or pets were lost in the fire.
At the event at Downpatrick Fire Station last week, Jacob received a tour of the station, met some of the personnel who responded to the emergency and received his certificate of bravery from Station Commander Philip Mageean.
During the presentation Jacob was praised for his actions.
Mr Mageean outlined how Jacob “without hesitation used his initiative to call 999”, and that he clearly explained what had happened.
“Thanks to Jacob’s courageous actions, the fire was quickly extinguished, and his animals were safely rescued,” he added.
Describing the bravery certificate as “well-deserved,” Mr Mageean said Jacob “stayed incredibly calm” throughout what was, undoubtedly, a very frightening incident.
The Fire and Rescue Service said Jacob is “a credit to his family and community,” something echoed by Station Commander Mageean.
He said: “Jacob stayed incredibly calm while under pressure which is vital when speaking to the emergency services.”
When asked about his heroics, the Ballynahinch Primary School pupil said it was “really good” that no-one got hurt and all the animals were saved.
Admitting it was “a wee bit scary”, Jacob said that the firemen later told him he was “very brave”.
Jacob’s equally proud family accompanied him to last week’s presentation.
Speaking afterwards, his mum said she was remarkably proud of her boys’ efforts once they realised the severity of the situation.
The barn was next to the family home and a hay shed, so had the flames spread, the outcome could have been even more serious.
And it’s not just Jacob who has a resilient inner streak – Tobias, without hesitation or a second thought, soaked tea-towels in water which he then told Carrie-Anne to place over her mouth and nose before entering the burning building to try and stop her from breathing in too much smoke.
“We are remarkably proud,” she said.
Carrie-Anne continued: “For Jacob to organise fire engines and Tobias help me with the animals, is just amazing.
“They are our own superstars.”
Just a month on from the fire, Carrie-Anne said Jacob “is, fortunately, hard to faze” and “has taken everything in his stride”.
So much so, that he and his big brother are now setting their sights on this year’s Balmoral Show and showing some of the pigs which were saved from the fire!
Describing her sons as “little heroes,” Carrie-Anne concluded: “They acted so beyond their years, there was no panic, there was just this sense that they had to act quickly and instinctively.
“We are extremely fortunate to have two amazing and very brave sons.”
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