Anybody who runs into a burning building is hero to me says veteran New York City firefighter Jack Ginley speaking about the Bermuda Fire Service?s response to the BELCO fire.

Earlier this week his New York City Fire Department?s badge was returned to him by a Police detective after stolen in a bag snatch by two men on a cycle on Sunday (see below).

Speaking from the St. George?s Club where he is staying, Mr. Ginley said he was impressed by the response of the BFS.

Mr. Ginley, who is returning today to New York with his family, said the local fire service acquitted themselves very well in extinguishing the fire.

?Dealing with cables, PVC and electrical equipment is potentially very hazardous and I am glad no one was hurt in the fire,? Mr. Ginley said.

?I am very proud of the level of professionalism and standard of training which Bermuda firefighters have to undergo,? Mr. Ginley added.

The hero who was among the crews that rushed to the scene of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2005 said on the day of the fire he met some crew members of the Bermuda Fire Service in St. George?s and offered his services.

Though this request was politely denied, Mr. Ginley said: ?Around the world fireman are brothers in arms and its really amazing about the feeling of brotherhood shared among fireman.?

On Thursday Mr. Ginley spent one hour with members of the Bermuda Fire Service including Chief of the Fire Service Vincent Hollinsid and Lt. Dana Lovell.

?They are great bunch of guys who I enjoyed meeting and talking about their working conditions, training and standards of excellence,? Mr. Ginley said.

The Devonshire man accused of stealing the firefighter Ginley?s badge was bailed until trial on October 5 after he denied in Magistrate?s court five charges related to the handbag snatch on Sunday night.

Glen Patrick Richardson, 46, of Longridge Pass, denied stealing a black leather wallet, a New York City firefighter?s badge, an identification card, a credit card and an ATM card between July 10 and 13.

Richardson also denied the alternative charge of receiving the stolen items between those dates.

Police also hit Richardson with charges of attempting to get $1,000 by false pretences on July 13, attempting to deceive a member of the Police Service and resisting arrest.

Richardson?s was bailed for $1,000 with one surety.