Scrumbelievable!
Scotland rugby star rescues man from blazing house – only for victim to run away as player received oxygen from firefighters
‘Smashed in the back door’
HE is best known for fearlessly running headlong into bonecrunching tackles.
But Scotland rugby star Gordon Reid showed his bravery is not confined to the pitch after risking his life to rescue a man from a burning house. The 32-year-old front row forward noticed flames at the property near his home in the village of Coylton, Ayrshire, on Sunday. He dialled 999 then – suspecting that someone was inside – broke in and found the man, before carrying him to safety. Reid then braved the flames for a second time after the man told him someone else was still inside, but the house was empty. But instead of thanking his rescuer, the man fled and has yet to be traced. Last night, police said they believe the fire was started deliberately. Reid, who figured prominently in Scotland’s World Cup campaign in Japan, was left fuming after the episode. Firefighters put out the blaze, while also giving oxygen treatment to Reid, who suffered the effects of smoke inhalation. He posted a video of himself with the oxygen mask over his face online. He wrote on Twitter: ‘Just a normal day. Wake up, have breakfast, save a guy’s life by pulling him out of his house, which was on fire. ‘Then the pr*** ran off – didn’t even say thanks. Now am stuck here sucking on air. Thanks to the firemen for the back up.’
Yesterday Reid said he was ‘really angry’ at the man who had put his life at risk.
The sportsman said: ‘I have no idea who he was because my family and I have just moved into the area.
‘I saw the flames and ran into my house to get a couple of buckets of water, but I quickly realised it was more serious than I first thought.
‘I banged on the windows and door but heard nothing. So I smashed in the back door and crawled through a broken panel and saw the man half sitting and half lying down.
‘He was coughing and spluttering from the thickening smoke and seemed in a bad way. I grabbed him round his chest and hauled him outside – his face was black, like a miner in the old days.
‘I asked him if he was OK and he just told me to call an ambulance.
‘He told me someone else was still inside, so my wife called the ambulance – and I went back into the house to look for the other person.
‘There was no sign of anyone and I had to get out in a hurry because the smoke was making it impossible to breathe.
‘The next thing I saw was the guy doing a Usain Bolt impersonation down the road. I tried again to get into the house but there was no chance. I hope they catch the idiot for obvious reasons. I have to thank the firemen for helping me out with the oxygen – I felt pretty rough.’
Police confirmed the fire was being treated as suspicious.
A spokesman said: ‘The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and inquiries are now ongoing.’
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘We were alerted on Sunday to reports of a fire at a property at Hillhead, Coylton.
‘Operations control mobilised two fire appliances to the scene, where crews extinguished a fire within the single-storey property.
‘Firefighters administered oxygen therapy to one casualty who had assisted another member of the public at the scene. Crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.’
Reid currently plays for the newly established semi-pro team Ayrshire Bulls, who compete in the Super 6 league. He previously played for Glasgow Warriors, London Irish and has 37 Scotland caps.