Man Who Saves Fiance,Two Children from Apartment Fire Speaks Out
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JACKSON, Tenn.- The mother of the two young children who were sent to the hospital after a fire destroyed 10 Guardian Court Apartments, Tuesday, said her fiance burned himself, fighting back flames to save their children and others living in the building. “I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t of been there, I don’t know where my kids would be and I don’t know where I would be,” fire victim Donna Wright said. “I hate that he got burned but I’m lucky that’s all that happened to him.” Wright told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News the fire started in her children’s bedroom. She said the only reason they awoke just in time was because of a personal alarm. Her fiance, William Chase Self, ran into their children’s room and was able to pull out their one-year-old little girl from her crib. As flames reached the ceiling, family members said he pushed his way back in to grab their 5 year-year-old son Brayden who was standing dangerously close to the fire and smoke. “It was just bright orange from the fire and darkness from the smoke,” Self said. “My daughter was standing up at the edge of her crib crying and my son was just frozen in shock.” “He fought the fire for a good minute or so and that was just long enough for me to get my daughter to where she needed to be get my son to the front door open the door and run out,” said Wright. Self was air lifted to a hospital in Memphis for treatment of smoke inhalation. He received burns to his lips nose and ears. “It could have been a whole lot worse the main priority was getting the kids out and making sure they were safe..they’re safe and they’re happy now and that’s all that matters,” said Self. Wright said both of their children were taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, the kids checked out okay. Family members said the flames did singe the 5-year-old’s hair. Self told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that the did not realize his injuries until he made it into an ambulance. The family said they are just happy everyone was able to make it out safely. Fire officials said they are still investigating what caused the fire, but they do not consider it suspicious. At least six families were displaced in the blaze. If you would like to help, contact Jackson Area Chapter Red Cross at: (731) 427-5543. Family members said they are throwing a benefit concert for Wright’s family Feb. 22 from 12-8 p.m. at the Emporium.
