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'Heroic' neighbours save children | 'Heroic' neighbours save children |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A family have been hailed heroes after rescuing five children from their neighbour's burning home in Dorset. | A family have been hailed heroes after rescuing five children from their neighbour's burning home in Dorset. |
Matthew Robinson twice entered the house in West Street, Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, on Sunday, as his parents held a ladder to the window. | Matthew Robinson twice entered the house in West Street, Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, on Sunday, as his parents held a ladder to the window. |
The 18-year-old scrambled about in thick smoke to rescue two children who were in a bedroom. | The 18-year-old scrambled about in thick smoke to rescue two children who were in a bedroom. |
Dorset Police described the Robinson family's quick-thinking actions as "heroic". | Dorset Police described the Robinson family's quick-thinking actions as "heroic". |
The children, aged 16, 12, 11, five and 16-months, were able to climb to safety but their mother suffered a suspected fractured pelvis after jumping from the window. | The children, aged 16, 12, 11, five and 16-months, were able to climb to safety but their mother suffered a suspected fractured pelvis after jumping from the window. |
He had to fumble around to find the last two children and he passed them down Jackie Robinson | He had to fumble around to find the last two children and he passed them down Jackie Robinson |
The family were taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for treatment after breathing in smoke from the fire, which broke out at about 2130 GMT in the lounge. | The family were taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for treatment after breathing in smoke from the fire, which broke out at about 2130 GMT in the lounge. |
Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. | Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. |
Mr Robinson, who is studying to be a mechanic and works part-time at a garage, said he could not see anything in the smoke-filled bedroom and asked the two remaining children to make noises so he could find them. | Mr Robinson, who is studying to be a mechanic and works part-time at a garage, said he could not see anything in the smoke-filled bedroom and asked the two remaining children to make noises so he could find them. |
'Too shocked' | 'Too shocked' |
He said that one of the boys was in a "bad state" and barely conscious as he was leaning against the bedroom door. | He said that one of the boys was in a "bad state" and barely conscious as he was leaning against the bedroom door. |
The boy's sister was leaning against some furniture nearby. | The boy's sister was leaning against some furniture nearby. |
"They were too shocked to say anything. The mum was screaming 'Get them out' and that's all I could hear," he said. | "They were too shocked to say anything. The mum was screaming 'Get them out' and that's all I could hear," he said. |
"Being in the room with all that smoke trying to find them, I started to panic, wondering whether I would be able to find them or not. | "Being in the room with all that smoke trying to find them, I started to panic, wondering whether I would be able to find them or not. |
"It was just impossible to see anything so I was thinking what if I was too late and what would happen if I couldn't find them." | "It was just impossible to see anything so I was thinking what if I was too late and what would happen if I couldn't find them." |
Mr Robinson played down his heroism, adding: "I would have thought anyone would do that to try and save some children." | Mr Robinson played down his heroism, adding: "I would have thought anyone would do that to try and save some children." |
Mr Robinson's mother, Jackie, told BBC News: "Matt broke in the back door, saw that the fire was in the living room and closed the door. He then got a ladder from the shed and climbed up. | Mr Robinson's mother, Jackie, told BBC News: "Matt broke in the back door, saw that the fire was in the living room and closed the door. He then got a ladder from the shed and climbed up. |
"The oldest daughter passed down two children, then Matt went up the ladder into the bedroom while she climbed down. | "The oldest daughter passed down two children, then Matt went up the ladder into the bedroom while she climbed down. |
"He had to fumble around to find the last two children and he passed them down to my husband, Roy, on the ladder and then Matt got out." | "He had to fumble around to find the last two children and he passed them down to my husband, Roy, on the ladder and then Matt got out." |
She added: "It could have been a completely different story if Matt hadn't heard them yelling outside." | She added: "It could have been a completely different story if Matt hadn't heard them yelling outside." |
The children were looked after by neighbours before the emergency services arrived. | The children were looked after by neighbours before the emergency services arrived. |
Firefighters from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service tackled the flames. | Firefighters from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service tackled the flames. |
Insp Andy Crook, from Dorset Police, said: "The actions of the Robinson family can only be described as heroic and without the quick-thinking and positive actions performed by Matthew, Jackie and Roy, there would have almost certainly been a more serious, if not a fatal, consequence." | Insp Andy Crook, from Dorset Police, said: "The actions of the Robinson family can only be described as heroic and without the quick-thinking and positive actions performed by Matthew, Jackie and Roy, there would have almost certainly been a more serious, if not a fatal, consequence." |