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Former admin worker becomes Britain’s smallest firefighter — at just 5ft tall

BIG-hearted Charlotte York is Britain’s smallest firefighter — at just 5ft tall.

The former admin worker, 22, passed training and has just qualified to drive her crew’s 12.5 ton fire truck to emergencies.

Charlotte looks tiny compared to one of her colleagues
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Charlotte looks tiny compared to one of her colleaguesCredit: Jon Rowley
The former admin worker has to push the seat forward to reach the pedals
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The former admin worker has to push the seat forward to reach the pedalsCredit: Marc Giddings
Charlotte says she loves her new job
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Charlotte says she loves her new jobCredit: Marc Giddings

But she has to push the seat forward to reach the pedals.

She told The Sun: “I absolutely love my job.

"It’s a real challenge knowing you’re responsible for getting the team there to potentially save someone’s life.

"But it’s nothing my training hasn’t prepared me for.”

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Charlotte was made redundant from British Airways at the start of the pandemic so followed her dream and now works for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Charlotte, of Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan, added: “I’ve passed the mandatory physical tests and am as fit as the rest of the crew.

“The fact that I’m this size gives me an advantage when we’re dealing with car crashes or fires in narrow or cramped areas.

“It doesn’t hold me back — even if I struggle to reach up into cupboards when I’m at home sometimes.”

Charlotte's colleagues carry her and strike a pose for this funny snap
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Charlotte's colleagues carry her and strike a pose for this funny snapCredit: Jon Rowley
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