An unknown hero saved the lives of five children aged 3 to 5 who were trapped in a house fire. On Wednesday, August 5, neighbors rallied together in response to a home in Stanthorpe, a town on the eastern side of Australia, that had heavy smoke coming out of its windows. One of the rescuers was a passing stranger who climbed into the house, rushed into the flames, and saved each child one at a time.
The identity of the Good Samaritan remains unknown
At around 8:41 a.m., emergencies crews rushed to a home after receiving reports that a fire had broken out, according to 7News.com.au.
The Queensland Fire Department said the blaze began in the central stairwell of the two-story home and trapped five children along with their 26-year-old mother. While the mother was able to jump from the second-story window, she broke her arm.
Meanwhile, several neighbors heard their cries for help. One grabbed a shovel and smashed a first-story window as thick smoke poured out of the home.
That’s when a passing stranger, described as a man with a white hat who was possibly in his 40s, sprung into action. He leapt through the window and ran upstairs through the smoke to rescue each toddler as quickly as he could.
Reverend Peter Evans told the outlet, “He went up the stairs five times and brought all five of the kids down and saved their lives.”
An 80-year-old neighbor spraying water on the blaze from a garden hose before firefighters arrived on the scene. Brett Gehrke from the Queensland Fire & Rescue praised his efforts.
“Because of the quick actions of the neighbor, the fire was contained to a central staircase,” Gehrke said.
Paramedics treated the five children, who were later transported to Stanthorpe Hospital. The mother was treated for her arm injury and smoke inhalation. The elderly neighbor was also treated for smoke inhalation.
According to the reverend, once first responders arrived on the scene, the unknown hero left the scene and continued his morning walk.
Authorities are hoping to identify him so that he can be thanked for saving the children’s lives.
