Silver screen animals saved from fire death by forward-thinking 7-year-old Jacob Mooney
A 7-year-old boy has been praised for contacting the Fire Service after a fire broke out on the family farm threatening the lives of their animals, who star in a HBO film.
The Downpatrick youngster, who played a crucial role in ensuring his family’s livestock and pets were saved when a blaze broke out on their farm, has now been honoured for his courage.
Described in a post 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 February 9.
Initially mum 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 new born piglets, along with geese and peacocks.
“We live quite remotely and we have no phone signal in the yard,” said Carrie-Anne.
“So Jacob went up the field to get phone signal and got through to the on-call fireman where he was able to tell him our address and what was happening.
“Then when he heard the sirens he went up the road and brought them down – all because he gave them our address and postcode.
“We have new born piglets in the barn, peacocks, geese, boars and him doing that meant we got the majority out before the fire service arrived.
“My husband is a farrier by trade, but on that day he was working on the ‘Devil’s Horseman’.
“A lot of our livestock is used in the film. Our pig with her piglets were used in the HBO filming.
“My husband is heading away now with the ‘Devil’s Horseman’ to Gran Canaria in a few weeks.
“And at the same time we will all be at Balmoral Show, hoping our animals get prizes,” she added.
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.”