Corrimal High students race to save Bellambi mum from house fire

A Bellambi woman has her home, and her life, thanks to the bravery of four Corrimal High School students.

Late at night Gloria Hodgson looked out of her upstairs window to see a small circle of flames in her front yard.

By the time she ran downstairs the fire had engulfed the grass and wooden lawn furniture in front of her living room window.

“It happened in about 20 seconds,” she said.

“All of a sudden there were these flames leaping up; I couldn’t turn on the tap.

“My curtains caught on fire, the windows exploded in, and I didn’t know what to do.”

Year 10 students Tyla Heinrich, Saxon Neale, Davina Walton and Year 11 student Ella Miller were out for a walk when they saw the smoke.

At first they thought someone had a bonfire in their yard, but as they got closer they could see Gloria desperately trying to beat down the flames.

The teens wasted no time in coming to her aid, running up the hill and jumping the fence to get to her.

“It was just adrenaline; I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing,” Tyla said.

“We jumped the fence and started trying to put it out. Gloria was really distressed; she was trying to put it out with cushions and stuff.

“Saxon ran inside to get some water. We didn’t really think about it, it just happened.”

Thanks to the teens’ efforts Gloria and her 15-year-old dog, Charlie, were safe. Although her home was damaged by the blaze, she’s confident it won’t take too long to repair.

Her biggest losses were the garden furniture – but things could have been very different.

The ignition point of the fire was traced to overloaded wiring in the hot water system, and she urged anyone who noticed their hot water not working to turn it off at the mains immediately.

“One of the firemen told me it was the second fire like that he had been to in a week,” she said.

“I had no idea it could happen.”

Gloria said she was deeply appreciative of the teens’ efforts and wanted to make sure they were properly acknowledged.

“Their actions not only saved my home but also highlight the values of community and support that are so important in our society,” she said.

“I just want to celebrate them.

“We have wonderful kids in our area and I am so thankful. They are a true credit to their families, their school and the community.”

Corrimal High School principal Paul Roger said he was immensely proud of the students’ actions.

“When you see your school kids have done something pretty significant, there’s a whole lot of pride,” he said.

“It was nice to hear our kids had stepped up and selflessly gone in to help. It’s a testament to those young people.

“When kids leave your school you want to know they’re productive members of society who are going to make the world better, so it’s wonderful to see these four young people demonstrate those qualities.”