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The constable rescued Mrs Brodie and Margaret Heagney, of 198 Drummond Street, Carlton, aged 40 years and 20 years respectively, from a burning house at Carlton on 9 September 1896.
The Constable was passing outside the house at 198 Drummond Street when a terrific explosion occurred, scattering the front windows into fragments. A flame of fire then burst through the window, the women inside screaming loudly. The constable rushed in through the passage after bursting open the front door. The passage was in flames. The front room was on fire, and one woman, Margaret Heagney, in flames. He succeeded in extinguishing them, and brought her out; he burned his arms and fingers in doing so.
The constable went in the second time notwithstanding the heat, flames, and poisonous gas, and also the fear of a second explosion, and he succeeded in rescuing a second woman, Mrs Elizabeth Brodie. The constable nearly got suffocated himself in the second attempt. None of the outside witnesses would venture in to save the women, fearing other explosions. Had a second explosion taken place, the constable would probably have lost his life, as the danger was great and perilous. The constable is still ill from his injuries. Both women died some days after the fire from burns and shock.
Constable Piggott was also presented with a Valour Badge for his bravery.
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