Neighbor rescues pair from burning Gibson County home
[gtxvideo vid=”JjS23ZdU” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/JjS23ZdU.jpg” vtitle=”House Fire Rescue PKG”]
RUTHERFORD, Tenn. — A raging fire early Friday morning destroys a home and leaves two people severely injured. “I didn’t really know how bad it was until daylight,” Tammy Gunnells, who lives next door, said. “I walked over here and it just crushed me.” The man and woman living inside were barely able to make it out alive, according to fire officials. “My mom got burnt and I thought she was going to be dead,” one of the victim’s sons, Rayshawn Peoples, said. “That’s all that went through my mind.” Peoples was supposed to be with his mom Thursday night but made other plans at the last minute. “If I would have been over here like I was planning on doing, I would have been in there too,” Peoples said. “God told me to stay home, so that’s the way it had to be.” According to fire officials, both victims suffered severe burns on their legs and back. Confined to a wheelchair, one of the victims was barely able to make it out of the front doors, but thanks to the quick thinking of a neighbor he was able to make it out alive. “He came over and helped the old man and pulled him off the porch out into the yard,” neighbor Jack Sigmon said. “Someone then helped them across the street.” It was a selfless act that saved two lives. “The house was on fire, so it was just nature for him to go to the rescue for someone,” Sigmon said. “He probably didn’t even give it a second thought.” Although the home couldn’t be saved, those inside now have a second chance. “Anytime that you have a major fire like this and everyone’s able to get out, even if they’re injured, it’s definitely a blessing.” Rutherford Fire Chief Robert Rahm said. The officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but they believe it’s accidental. Both victims currently are recovering at a Memphis hospital.
