HERO DAD RESCUES BLAZE NEIGHBOURS
Darren leads eight people to safety as fatal fire rages
A DAD who ran into a burning building to save neighbours has told how he is still haunted by flashbacks.
A man died in the fire but the tragedy could have been much worse if it wasn’t for Darren McNiven.
The 38-year-old raced into the building in the dead of night to raise the alarm and make sure those inside got out.
Darren helped to lead eight adults and children – and their pet dogs and cats – to safety.
He said: “It’s difficult not to think about it. I keep having flashbacks and it all seems a bit surreal.
“I really didn’t think about the danger at the time. It was more a case of doing what I could.”
Darren’s bravery kicked in after he was woken in his Grangemouth home by the sound of an alarm going off at about 2.30am on January 12.
He said: “I thought it was one of the kids’ alarms and got up to switch it off.
“However, the further I got away from the back bedroom, the fainter the sound became.
“I went back upstairs and looked out the window, which is when I saw an orange glow coming from the house in Avon Street. After throwing some clothes on, I ran out with the idea that I would do what I could to help.
“I was expecting there to be other people, but the street was empty.
“Then, I spotted a woman standing in the hall of the burning building.
“My first thought was to get her out and I ran in.
“There was smoke everywhere but I managed to help her get outside.”
Father-of-two Darren then began shouting and banging on the doors of the other three properties in the block to alert them to the danger.
He added: “There was one couple with two children, as well as others.
“There were explosions sounding and it was impossible to get to the man who was still in the building. Then I heard the sirens and the fire service turned up. They were then able to take over.”
The man who couldn’t be reached was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two women suffering from smoke inhalation were taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.
Darren, who also suffered smoke inhalation, was treated at the scene by paramedics and later received treatment at the hospital.
He said: “They wanted me to go to hospital straight away but I wanted them to look after those who were in more need.”
He is now recovering at home with wife Lindsay and children Sophie, 17, and Kieran, 11.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated.