Police officers have been commended for their action in tackling a house fire in Warwick — with a garden hose.

Patrol officers from the community policing division responded to an emergency report at 11.10pm last Friday, the Bermuda Police Service said this evening.

They dealt with the blaze before the arrival of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokeswoman for the police said: “Upon arrival smoke was seen coming from an open door at the residence and further checks revealed the kitchen on the second storey was engulfed.

“Officers took action to ensure there was no one inside and used a garden hose to extinguish the fire prior to the arrival of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.

“One resident was treated at the scene for minor burns to his lower legs by attending EMTs from the BFRS.

“The two police officers who were first on scene were treated for smoke inhalation for which they received treatment from EMTs at the scene and later attended the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. They were treated and released.”

The action was heralded by Martin Weekes, the assistant commissioner with responsibility for operational policing.

He said: “Policing is a often a dangerous profession, with officers sometimes being summoned to go beyond the call of duty in order to prevent injury, loss of life, damage to, or loss of property, at times without regard for their own safety or wellbeing.

“These officers did so and helped prevent further property damage. I applaud them for their efforts at the scene which helped make Bermuda safer.”