PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A La Grande man was flown to a Portland hospital for treatment of burns he suffered while rescuing his 6-year-old grandson from a burning house.
KPTV says Jim Smith suffered burns to the top of his head, face, arms and 70 percent of his back. Neighbor Shane Hubble pounded on the home’s front door Monday night to alert the children’s father, Steven Lane, to the fire. Lane and Hubble rushed to grab 2-year-old Alexis and 4-year-old Austin. Another child, 7-year-old Ashley, was able to escape on her own. But 6-year-old Aaden was still in the basement.
The 50-year-old Smith had been sleeping in a camper parked in the home’s driveway. When he heard the boy was still inside, he walked into the blaze.
He says he found the boy asleep, wrapped him in a jacket and looked for a way out, adding, “I was scared to death.” He managed to carry the boy up the stairs and escape through the garage.
Little Aaden suffered a burn on his hand; the other children were unhurt. The (La Grande) Observer says Lane suffered burns but refused treatment. The home was destroyed.
