Hero Israr Latif saves OAP Annie from burning Paddock home

May 27 2009 By Barry Gibson

Fire, Beech Street, Paddock

HEROIC Israr Latif saved his elderly neighbour from her burning home just moments before a blast ripped through the house.

The 25-year-old kicked in the door of the woman’s house on Beech Street in Paddock yesterday afternoon after hearing her cries for help.

Israr said: “I walked out of my house at about 3.15pm and saw smoke coming from the house across the street. I know the lady who lives there, I call her Auntie Annie because she was friends with my dad when he was alive.

“I ran across to her house to see if she was inside and I could hear her shouting ‘Help me, help me’.

“When I heard her shouting I couldn’t stop myself.

“It took me three kicks to put the door in and then I pulled her out and dragged her on to the street. I saved her life.”

Israr added: “About two or three minutes after I dragged her out there was a big blast. If Annie had still been in the house, I wouldn’t have been able to get her out.

“I’m still shaken up and scared about what happened.”

The victim, who has not been officially named, was taken to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield with burn injuries.The woman, who is believed to be over-70, is not in a life-threatening condition and had surgery last night.