Good Samaritan saves three lives in Spring Hill

Bystander rescues 3 people from house fire

FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports on three people who made it out of a burning home thanks to the quick actions of a bystander, according to Hernando County Fire Rescue.

SPRING HILL, Fla. - Three people made it out of a burning home on Friday morning around 7 a.m. thanks to the quick actions of a bystander, according to Hernando County Fire Rescue.

Tom Jones was sleeping in his brother's house on Harrow Rd. in Spring Hill when he was alerted to a house fire.

"I got woken up," said Jones. "There was somebody yelling. It was a fire."

A passerby noticed a fire from his living room window and started banging on the house.

"Couldn't see anything," Jones said. "Open up the bedroom door. I felt the heat. Shut the bedroom door and try to push the AC out. Wouldn't go out."

Tom, his girlfriend, and their friend had to be safely helped through a bedroom window.

"I'm very thankful to that man," said Jones. "And it's surreal, basically."

Three people made it out of a burning home on Friday morning thanks to the quick actions of a bystander, according to Hernando County Fire Rescue. (Courtesy: HCFR.)

The residents here believe the fire started from an electrical outlet on the other side of this window with many Christmas lights attached to it.

"After (an) investigation by the crews that were on scene, they did determine that they believed it was from an electrical malfunction," said Firefighter Nick Brandt.

The bigger question is, who saved them?

Residents do not doubt that they might not be here if it were not for the people who drove by at just the right moment.
"I think they should get a reward," said Jones. "But they actually saved their lives."

Firefighters would love to hear from those who saved the three people in this home that now must be gutted and redone.

"It's not every day that we get these acts of heroism from bystanders and good Samaritans in the community. So we like to highlight when they do occur," said Brandt.

Firefighters say it's important not to risk your life without proper training or equipment.

And they say it's always essential to have working smoke detectors.

"Be careful. Don't take life for granted," said Tom Jones. "You never know when your time's going to be up," Brandt finished.

Anyone who knows who saved the people in the home is asked to call Hernando County Fire Rescue at 352-540-4353.
"A HUGE Thank You to the unknown bystander whose quick actions saved 3 lives!" HCFR wrote in a social media post.

The American Red Cross is helping the displaced victims.

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