NI painter, who saved family from kitchen blaze, hailed a hero

Timothy Wright didn’t think twice and sprang into action braving his neighbour’s smoke-filled house to put out the blaze.

The 35-year-old, who is currently on a rotating furlough, was at his Fitzgerald Park home when he heard his neighbour shouting ‘fire fire’ at lunchtime yesterday morning (Wednesday).

“I was in the back garden and heard a woman shouting. I looked over and saw smoke coming from the kitchen of the house next door,” said Timothy.

“I went in and the cooker was on fire. The kitchen was filled with smoke. The smoke was so thick and black you could hardly see the fire. The cooker hood was also on fire.”

Timothy said he got the woman and the two children, a teenager and a toddler, out into the garden and he and his wife Zara grabbed a fire extinguisher and fire blanket from their home.

“It got really bad in just a few seconds. The smoke was thick and black and I could barely see the fire,” said Timothy who said he could only stay in the kitchen for a few seconds because of the smoke density.

He managed to throw the fire blanket over the cooker and use the fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.

Timothy urged people to invest in a fire extinguisher.

“I know the one we have has been kicking around the houes and is usually in the road. But I am glad we had it and were able to help,” said Timothy.

The painter, who works for his father Andrew’s painting and decorating firm Decor-wright Paints Ltd, is currently on a rotating furlough and said he was lucky he was at home yesterday when the fire broke out.

Timothy and Zara, a full time mum to Noah (10) and Annabeth (6) are celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary today.

He said: “I have seen health and safety videos of fires on CSR training and fires can get out of hand very quickly. It is definitely worth investing in a fire extinguisher. I know I have spent a lot of time tripping over it but it was worth getting. We have already ordered a new fire extinguisher and blanket.”

Timothy’s cousin Andrew said: “The house was black with smoke but he still went in and managed to get it out.

“Someone had already rang the fire brigade but Tim did such a fast and furious job, the fire was out by the time they arrived.”

Andrew said: “I believe the family are very grateful to Tim for helping them. She would have been in some trouble if he had not have went in to put the fire out.

“And it could have spread to other houses,” he said.

A spokesperson for the NI Fire and Rescue Service said it received a 999 call at 1.22pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Two appliances, one from Portadown and another from Lurgan were despatched but the fire was extinguished when crews arrived.

“It is believed the fire was accidental ignition. It was dealt with by 1.49pm,” said a spokesperson.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you