Heroic Royal Navy sailor who saved neighbours from house explosions named one of Portsmouth's top citizens

WHEN courageous Royal Navy sailor Jon Thornber heard his neighbour’s house explode, he wasted no time in charging into action.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The brave dad sprinted to the rescue, charging towards the blazing home in Nelson Avenue, North End, on October 22.

The 41-year-old Petty Officer, who is based at HMS Collingwood, dashed into the burning building to search for survivors before saving pensioner Denise Smy and her son Gary.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Once in the garden Jon spotted Gary ‘confused and dazed and suffering from burns’ before guiding him to safety before noticing Denise trapped in the hallway.

Petty officer Jon Thornber from HMS Collingwood, who helped rescue a mother and her son after their house exploded in Nelson Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, on October 22, 2021
Picture submitted by the Royal Navy, by Keith WoodlandPetty officer Jon Thornber from HMS Collingwood, who helped rescue a mother and her son after their house exploded in Nelson Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, on October 22, 2021
Picture submitted by the Royal Navy, by Keith Woodland
Petty officer Jon Thornber from HMS Collingwood, who helped rescue a mother and her son after their house exploded in Nelson Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, on October 22, 2021 Picture submitted by the Royal Navy, by Keith Woodland

The windows, doors and frames had all been blown out by the blast and this, together with her injuries, meant she was unable to escape the flames.

Read More
Heroic Royal Navy sailor charges into exploded house in Portsmouth to rescue inj...

Shouting reassurance and with no thought of his own safety, Jon entered the crumbling house, lifted her onto his shoulder and ran back through the debris and away from the home.

His remarkable bravery and quick-thinking have since earned him a nomination in The News’s New Year Honours list, celebrating the best residents in our community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking after the incident, dad Jon said: ‘I just did what needed to be done and I didn’t give it a second thought.’

Jon’s action garnered praise from neighbours and the emergency services, who have since recommended him for a bravery award.

Gary and Denise both suffered significant burns from the explosion but miraculously survived the blast, which destroyed their home.

Gary told The News: ‘Thanks (to Jon) for saving our lives. If it wasn’t for him then my mum might not have been here.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, with 70 per cent fewer adverts for less than 20p a day.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.