Man saves wheelchair-bound neighbor from Seattle fire

A kind and fast-moving neighbor rescued a disabled Seattle women from a Christmas morning house fire.

The neighbor, who did not want to be identified, called the woman early Tuesday morning to check on her because the woman’s daughter recently passed away. The homeowner, who is confined to a wheelchair, said her house was on fire.

The neighbor rushed over to the house, kicked down the door and told the homeowner to move to the back of the house, where there’s a wheelchair ramp. The neighbor then went around the house and helped the woman down the ramp.

“When we arrived, she was already at the neighbor’s house, warm and outside of the rain, which allowed us to concentrate our efforts on putting the fire out,” says Sue Stangl with the Seattle Fire Department.

Firefighters had arrived to the scene moments later the woman was rescued. There were no injuries, and firefighters rescued the woman’s two dogs.

“I think it’s a wonderful example of neighbors looking out for each other,” says Stangl. “He was just keeping an eye on her. It’s Christmastime, and he was just checking in. Sure enough, she said she needed help.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.