Hero Paul risks life trying to save neighbour from house fire

24 Mar 2016

Paul Smith, who works as a porter in the Alan Turing Building, risked his own life in an attempt to rescue a neighbour from her blazing house

Tragically the woman died in the blaze which ripped through the terraced home in Drury Street, Levenshulme on the morning of 23 March. Firefighters who rushed to the scene were unable to save her and spent several hours battling the fire.

Paul kicked down the woman’s front door in an unsuccessful attempt to save her. However, the flames and smoke inside were so intense that other residents dragged him back, fearing that he might be injured or killed.

Paul, who lives a few doors away with his partner, said: “I got back from work and I could see some people on the street and a bit of smoke coming from the house.

“It didn’t look like much at first and I thought it might be a chip pan fire or something like that. The others said they’d tried to kick the door in but couldn’t because it was on a chain.

“I went over and hoofed it in and then put my hat over my mouth, and crouched down to go in. There so much smoke inside you couldn’t see anything. I could hear the woman crying for help.

“I was just about to go in when someone grabbed hold of me and dragged me back saying ‘you can’t.’ I came away but could still hear her so went to try again but again they stopped me. It’s heartbreaking.

“You don’t think about what the right or safe thing to do is, your humanity and your instinct just takes over. After the second time there was an explosion inside and the flames became even bigger, blowing the windows out. That’s when we all moved right away.

“The fire brigade were here within minutes and did a great job to contain it so quickly. It was just absolutely awful though. You can’t help but be affected by it and think could you have done more. It will stay with me for a long, long time.

“Maybe those who pulled me back saved my life as well, who knows.

“It’s just so, so sad and you heart goes out to her family.”