This is the moment a Kent cop saves an arsonist from a burning building.

Brave Sergeant James Cattermole who carried out the rescue has now been commended by a judge after saving the arsonist from a burning house in Sellindge near Folkestone in May 2021.

The cop was accompanied by PC Louis Southon, and together they managed to drag Christopher Pain, 57, to safety.

The Kent Police said: “Pain, 57, was jailed for four years and ordered to serve an extra two years on licence at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday 16 July after admitting arson at a previous hearing.

“In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge Simon James commended Sergeant Cattermole’s quick-thinking and bravery in getting Pain out of the building.”

The two officers were called to the scene at around 12.40am on 3rd May following concerns Pain may have a knife and was threatening to hurt himself.

The property was locked and officers attempted to talk to Pain through a window, however, he refused to engage with the cops and shouted abuse at them before starting a fire in the living room.

The police said: “Sergeant Cattermole then smashed a window, climbed through and dragged Pain to the building’s back door, which was locked.

“As Pain continued to resist help, Sergeant Cattermole tried to get them both out of the front door, which had been barricaded with cardboard boxes.”

As the building filled with smoke, PC Southon smashed the back door window and the two officers managed to get Pain out of the blazing building.

Police backup teams and the Kent Fire and Rescue Service arrived on the scene and evacuated neighbouring properties.

The fire caused extensive damage to the property, but no one was seriously injured.

Chief Inspector Alice Ames said: “Every day, police officers are the first at the scene of unpredictable and dangerous incidents. Their first thought is always to maintain the safety of the public and preserve life.

“The response of the two officers who attended this call, which I believe saved the offender’s life, is yet another example of the bravery and professionalism so often shown by our team.

“I hope the jail sentence handed down at court gives Christopher Pain a chance to reflect on his actions and, upon his release, he will no longer endanger himself, others or members of the emergency services.”

It was not revealed who owned the property or what the man that started the fire was doing there, and it was also not revealed what his motive was for causing the blaze.