Miles is all smiles a year on from horror house blaze
BABY REVIVED BY CPR AFTER BEING PULLED UNCONSCIOUS FROM BLAZE
The family of a Sunderland boy who was brought back to life after being rescued from his burning home a year ago say they are hoping this Christmas will be a better one.
Miles McBurnie was just 18 months old when he was brought back to life by emergency services after a fire broke out at his Sunderland home in Wentbridge, Witherwack in December 2017.
His brother William Roney, now aged nine, managed to escape on his own, as Miles’ parents attempted to fight their way up the stairs to reach the toddler.
When they were overcome by the smoke, neighbours too tried to rescue Miles, before firefighters from Marley Park, Farringdon and Sunderland Central fire stations arrived and pulled the unconscious boy from the house.
Firefighters performed CPR on Miles for 10 minutes and managed to revive the youngster, who was taken by ambulance to Sunderland Royal hospital and was then transferred to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Now aged two, the brave little boy is back to his usual self and grandmother Ann Solomon said mum Lorna Roney and the boys are looking forward to a happier Christmas and New Year following their ‘nightmare’ ordeal.
Ann, 52, who lives across the street from the family, said: “At the end of the day we have got him as it could have been a lot worse.
“You can rebuild a house but you can’t rebuild a life.
“It just shows you the heart and soul of the firefighters who aren’t just doing their job, they have families themselves and they are just absolutely amazing.”
Firefighters Lee Thew, Lee Chape and Michael Longstaff along with officer in charge, Kev Burns, crew manager Ronnie Monaghan, were praised by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for the way they rescued Miles and gave him CPR to support his breathing.
Although the house has now been fully repaired, the family are still living in a rented house on the same estate, with grandmother Ann saying it has been too painful for the family to return home just yet.
The fire was understood to have been caused by a candle in parents Lorna and Adam’s room. The family have been receiving counselling.
Less than a week after being admitted to hospital, Miles was allowed to go home and is now back to his happy self.
Ann added: “The support from the community reduced us to tears, it was absolutely overwhelming.”
“We have got him, it could have been a lot worse” ANN SOLOMON