I battled in vain to save girl
A heroic neighbour has told how he fought back flames in a bid to save stricken Natalie.
Pro wrestler Adrian McCallum was first on the scene and called 999 as the blaze broke out in York Street.
Adrian, 36, said: “As I ran towards the house, the living room window exploded. I became aware of a boy hanging from the top window so I yelled at him to jump. I caught him as he came down and then tried to break down the front door. But the heat from the flames was just too much – it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life.”
As crowds gathered in the street, Adrian and fellow neighbours watched in horror as the flat burned. He said: “It became clear the poor girl was still inside as I could hear her screaming.
“Both the boyfriend and her mum were understandably in hysterics.
“I tried everything I could to get in before the fire crews arrived.
“They arrived within minutes and managed to get her out and work on her with CPR – they couldn’t have done any more.”
Natalie, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene following the blaze on Sunday night.
It became clear the poor girl was still inside as I could hear her screaming. Both the boyfriend and her mum were understandably in hysterics. Adrian McCallum