Hero dad saves woman in blaze
Published: July 3, 2007
A DAD-of-two has been hailed a hero after risking his own life to pull an unconscious woman from a smoke-filled flat.
David Smith, 22, of Marlhill Road, Grange Park, crawled on his hands and knees to rescue the victim after fire broke out in the first floor property on Oxenhurst Road on the estate.
Fire crews who arrived at the scene shortly afterwards said he had probably saved the woman’s life.
The drama unfolded just before 2.30pm on Saturday when Mr Smith was visiting a neighbouring flat and noticed smoke coming from the building.
He said today: “I shouted through the letter box, but got no answer and all I could see was smoke.
“I kicked the door off its hinges and crawled commando-style along the floor. I couldn’t see anything but smoke, I was just feeling with my hand.
“I came back out because I couldn’t breathe properly. Then I tied a jacket round my face to try and protect myself and went back in.
“I was in the living room and felt a person’s arm. I managed to pull her on to the stairwell and then took her outside on to the grass.
“She was in and out of consciousness so I just kept checking her pulse and asking her if she was all
right. Then the paramedics came and looked after her.”
The woman, who has not been named, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus searched the rest of the burning flat, but no-one else was inside.
Acting watch manager Steven Arnold, of Blackpool Fire Brigade, said: “The fire had been going for quite some time and there was lots of thick black smoke issuing from the windows when we arrived.
“Mr Smith did a fantastic job rescuing the woman.
“He may well have saved her life because any longer and her condition would have been very serious.”
Mr Smith, who said he had always wanted to be a firefighter, added that he had called upon training he had done as an army cadet.
He said: “I just did what anyone else would have done.”
Police and the fire service are now investigating the cause.
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