Local Hero saves children from burning house

- Mon 31st Jan 2005

A MAN has been hailed a hero after walking into a burning house three times in a bid to rescue a mother and her two children from the flames.
Mick Hornsby never hesitated when fire broke out about 6pm yesterday in an upstairs room at neighbouring home in Station Road on Hayling.

Retired plasterer Mr Hornsby, 59, said: 'As I walked past the house I saw smoke coming from upstairs.
'I knew there were a couple of kids living there because I had watched them move in last Thursday.

Mr Hornsby got the little boy and girl out of the house in turn, and
took the children to his own house, where his wife Pat, 58, looked after them.

He then returned to the burning property with his son Michael, 23, to try to rescue the children's mother.

He said: 'My son kicked the door open so we could get in. By that point it was really getting thick with smoke and we heard the fire brigade coming and decided to leave the house.'
Firefighters rescued the mother. The family were taken to QA hospital but were said to be well.

By forum user, HIbot