Paper Carrier Rescues Man From N.C. Fire

May 13--A local newspaper carrier pulled a man to safety after a fire broke out at his Reidsville home this morning.

The fire started at 719 Northwest Market Street in Reidsville around 5:20 a.m. Sunday, May 12, according to Reidsville Fire Marshal Jay Harris.

Newspaper carrier for World Media Enterprises, Steve Bradshaw, saw smoke coming out of the home and tried to pound on the front door to see if anyone lived there.

"There were no vehicles at the house and the grass hadn't been mowed, so I thought it was vacant, but went to check just in case," Bradshaw said.

As he reached the second step to the home, a man opened the window. Bradshaw asked him if anyone else lived there. He said his girlfriend and son slept in the back of the home. Bradshaw told him to call out to them but when no one answered, he told the victim to get out of the home.

"He was overwhelmed by the smoke," Bradshaw said. "It was thick outside too."

Bradshaw helped move a daybed to the window to aid in the escape.

"He stopped and sat on the window," Bradshaw said. "I guess the smoke got to him so I just pulled him the rest of the way out."

Bradshaw said he called 911 prior to getting out of his car. He said by the time he went to check on the others, flames poured out the back of the home. He said as a former volunteer fireman he knew the fire became too dangerous.

Bradshaw waited to leave the scene until he knew the victim was safe with Reidsville Fire Department.

"Had he not been there the outcome could have been substantially different," Harris said.

Harris said when Reidsville Fire Department arrived on scene the male victim told them a woman and child did not make it outside. Bradshaw said he led the firefighters to the side of the home where the victim said his family might be.

Reidsville Fire went into rescue mode and made rapid entry into the house. The firefighters determined the other occupants were not home.

Bradshaw said knowing the entire family made it out safely made his Mother's Day even better.

"I didn't do anything different than anyone else would have," Bradshaw said. "I would hope someone would do it for me."

Harris said the fire began near the rear porch area. The fire caused extensive damage to the dwelling. Reidsville Fire Department contacted the Red Cross to help with the occupant's immediate needs.

Rockingham County Fire Marshal's Office assisted with the fire by providing its arson dog,Phoenixat the scene. The fire remains under investigation.

Copyright 2013 - The Reidsville Review, N.C.