Hero saves teenager from fire

Mar 28 2007 By James Cartledge, Birmingham Mail

A MAN was hailed a hero today for saving a semi-conscious teenager from a blazing Birmingham maisonette.

Lee Martin risked his life to carry 17-year-old Michael Parson out of the burning home inside an eight-storey tower block at Faulkners Farm Drive, Erdington.

Firefighters praised Mr Martin's bravery and highlighted the importance of smoke alarms after revealing an alarm had been disabled inside the flat.

Watch commander Mick Clark, of Perry Barr fire station, said: "He did a fantastic job. He put himself in danger but still went into a smoke-filled property to search for Michael."

Mr Martin, of Findon Road, Ward End, was visiting other residents at Michael's Kingsbridge House tower block when a chip pan left on the hob sparked the blaze at 8.20pm yesterday.

He rushed inside after being told someone had been seen at a window and found Michael semi-conscious in a bedroom. A man believed to be the teenager's stepfather also lived at the address but was out.

Both men were both taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from Perry Barr, Aston and Erdington were sent to the scene and rescued a Staffordshire bull terrier dog from the second-floor address.

Nobody else was injured and neighbours were not evacuated. But Mr Clark said the lack of a working smoke alarm could have led to a tragedy.

"Residents need to make sure smoke alarms are in proper working order," he said.