Heroes pull woman from fire
The cottage on the Rock Road after the fire.
A WOMAN rescued from a blazing house was saved by the heroic efforts of two local men.
The fire broke out in a cottage along the Rock Road before 8am on Saturday morning.
Anthony Kieran told The Argus that he was out walking his dog when he noticed smoke pouring from the roof of the house.
Just as Anthony came across the scene, Aaron Grant was driving along in the direction of Dundalk Golf Club when he also noticed smoke coming from a house along the coast raod.
Having forced open the back door, the pair were met by dense black smoke which made it almost impossible to see.
Anthony added that both men knew they had to brave the smoke to find the woman. When they found her, she was unstable on her feet so he lifted her over his shoulder and carried her outside to safety. By that stage, emergency services were contacted and the ambulance service and firefighters were at the scene.
Speaking of coming across the fire, Anthony said: 'I walk that route every morning, so I know the house. I noticed a little dog running around outside it barking and the smoke coming from the roof. I realised there had to be someone inside by the way the dog was reacting.'
Aaron said: 'Initially I didn't know what it was, but I stopped because there seemed to be an awful lot of smoke.
'I saw the guy coming along walking his dog and we went around the back of the house together to check if we could see anyone.'
Both men, who were reluctant in accepting praise for their bravery said they 'couldn't have made any other choice'.
'I think you just act out of instinct. It all happened very quickly,' added Aaron. 'But I'm so glad that we went in, as knowing now that there was someone in the house, I'm just glad she is OK.'
- OLIVIA RYAN
