International News: A young boy was left sleeping in a burning house while his grandmother rescued the family dogs instead.
Jun 9, 2010
British grandmother Mandy Hands, 45, had forgotten her visiting grandson was asleep upstairs when she rushed to save her four greyhounds in the fire, The Daily Mail reports.
Firefighters were later able to save 11-year-old Curtis from the house, in England's mid-west, but his grandmother is guilt-stricken over her actions.
"I can't get over the fact I left my grandson in bed," Mrs Hands said.
"He's visiting from Portsmouth and I was panicking so much trying to get everyone out that I forgot he was in here.
"I never even checked on him."
The fire broke out on Monday morning, believed to be the result of a faulty plastic toaster which Mrs Hands' husband had used that morning.
Mrs Hands woke up when she noticed smoke in her bedroom and managed to get her 16-year-old son and the family dogs to safety.
She noticed her grandson's absence once she was safe outside.
"It was only when we were outside and someone said 'Is there anyone else in there?' that I remembered him, but no one could get back in," she said.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and were able to locate Curtis and carry him outside.
The family were all taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.
The house was fitted with a fire alarm but it had run out of batteries.
Source: Channel 9 News