Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Aug 21, 2008 5:12 pm US/Central
Neighbor Rescues Bedridden Man From Burning House
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ―
An elderly Fort Worth couple is thanking their neighbor, after the man went into a burning house to rescue a bedridden resident.
Authorities say 90-year-old Luella Crosby was outside her west Fort Worth home when she noticed smoke coming from inside.
After having both his legs amputated and dealing with other health issues, Luella's husband, Alfred, is confined to a bed and was still inside the burning house.
As Luella yelled for help, next door neighbor Frank DeVaull arrived home and leaped into action.
"We help one another. That's how it goes," DeVaull explained. "But I'm just glad the good Lord sent me home when he did."
After trying, unsuccessfully, to put out the fire DeVaull attempted to move Alfred's bed, also unsuccessfully. DeVaull then braved the
smoke and flames and carried his 92-year-old neighbor outside to the porch.
Firefighters arrived within a few minutes and were able to get Alfred to safety.
"It's just something that people do. That's all I can figure," says DeVaull. "There are no heroes here except for the firefighters. I was glad to see them."
DeVaull may not consider himself a hero, but family members of the Crosby's are certainly grateful. "I don't know what to say other than thank you," the Crosby's grandson, Mark Isom, said.
According to authorities Alfred
suffered minor smoke inhalation and was taken to Harris Methodist Hospital as a precaution.
The Cosby's have lived at the home
in the 5500 block of Geddes since 1944.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Luella reportedly told rescuers that the p ower had gone on and off several times that morning and that she'd seen a truck from the electrical utility company in the area.
Investigators say although most of the fire was confined to a bedroom; the home suffered extensive damage.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
