Hero risks life twice – to save neighbour and a litter of pups

Published on Wednesday 29 October 2008 23:37

A FATHER jumped into a burning building and dragged out his unconscious neighbour – then dashed back in to save a litter of puppies.

Jamie McDade, 31, smashed his way into the house to drag Winnie Brannigan through choking smoke into the fresh air.

And when he realised a litter of new-born pups was still trapped inside, he risked his life again by charging in to rescue them as well.

The warehouse worker sprang into action when he heard shouts there was a fire at his 57-year-old neighbour's terraced home in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.

The father of five said yesterday: "I heard my brother Andy shouting outside that Winnie's house was on fire.

"I ran down to see if I could help. You couldn't see in any of the windows because there was so much smoke.

"My brother had already tried to get in through the back window to the kitchen, but the fire was there and he couldn't get in. I picked up a brick and smashed the front window, then I pushed all the glass out of the way with my hand and climbed in.

"It was really dark and I couldn't really see anything. But I could hear Winnie coughing and moaning, so I grabbed her off of the sofa.

"I pulled her round to the front door, but there were no keys, so I took her back to the window so she could breathe some fresh air."

Minutes later, two police officers arrived and kicked in the front door, allowing Jamie to take her outside.

But his rescue operation was not over, as he realised a litter of eight pups born the day before were locked in the kitchen.

He said: "I handed Winnie to my brother, then I ran back inside, because I knew the puppies were in the kitchen. It was hard to see, but some of the smoke had cleared, and I could hear them whining.

"I grabbed an armful, and once they were safe I ran back in for the rest."

Mr McDade was taken to Monklands General Hospital, where he received treatment for smoke inhalation and cuts to his hand and back.

It was only then what he had done sank in. He said: "I was running on adrenaline, and jumped in without thinking. Afterwards I was pretty shaken up. I was sick because I had breathed in so much smoke."

Firefighters put out the blaze, which started after a chip pan caught fire.

Ms Brannigan said: "I would like to thank Jamie and everyone who helped that day. I don't know what would have happened if Jamie hadn't done what he did."

A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said: "We must commend this gentleman for his bravery in rescuing this woman from the blaze. He should be proud of himself."