A crane operator, who rescued a fellow construction worker during a devastating fire in Reading has been presented with a Commendation Medal for his heroic actions.

Glen Edwards, 65, was working on the construction site at Station Hill in Reading on November 23 when the structure caught alight, quickly going up in flames.

A viral video, circulating around Twitter shows how Mr Edwards lifted the cage to the building where a fellow construction worker was trapped.

Dubbed on Good Morning Britain after the event as the “Bruce Willis of Reading” and referred to as a hero, Glen said that his “adrenaline was through the roof”.

After being put forward for the award by members at the British Fire Services Association, the crane operator is the first individual outside the fire service to be awarded this prestigious honour.

It acknowledges people who have gone above and beyond in their roles and create an influential impact on society through their actions during an emergency sitation.

Mr Edwards was presented with his Commendation Medel at his home in a private ceremony by the Association’s Governing Council Chairman, Seamus Higgins on April 6.

A certificate that came with the medal said: “Despite the developing fire and high winds, Mr Edwards brought the worker to safety using a cage from his tower crane.”

Graham Hill-Howgate, from the British Fire Services Association said: “Glen is the first person to be awarded this medal outside the fire services across the UK. Normally it is given to fire fighters who have performed outstandingly in their role.

“It was after the fire that someone put his name forward because what he did was outside what anyone would normally have done in that situation.

“It is such a heroic thing that he did which is why we felt he needed to be recognised."