Mystery Hero Rescues Woman From Okla. Fire

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. --

A woman told Eyewitness News 5 on Friday that a perfect stranger burst into her home, picked her up and carried her to safety when her home caught fire.

The man didn't tell her his name after the rescue, she said.

The fire broke out in the 1700 block of Brooks Drive in Midwest City at about 10 a.m.

Linda Payne, 50, said she was trapped in her home when the fire ignited.

A Midwest City Fire Department representative said a preliminary investigation revealed that the home was struck by lightning, which sparked the fire.

"(The lightning) hit the corner of the house and blew chunks of guttering all around the house clear to the ground," said Jerry Lojka, of the Midwest City Fire Department.

Payne said she called her daughter, who was at work miles away.

"I'm glad she's OK," said Payne's daughter, Valerie Gauthier. "Everything is a wash. We don't care, just glad she's OK."

Payne, who has lung disease and uses an oxygen tank, said a man who was driving by saw the smoke, came into her home, picked her up, carried her to safety and then left the scene.

Payne said she has no idea who the man was.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading and ultimately extinguished the blaze.

Payne said she is thankful for the mysterious hero who saved her life.

"I don't know who you are that helped me, but I appreciate it very much," Payne said. "Thank you very much."

Firefighters were able to contain the fire and even pull a couple of important things out before they were destroyed. The family does not have homeowner's insurance.

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