A brave neighbour who risked his own life to try

A brave neighbour who risked his own life to try to rescue a
crippled widow from a smoke-filled room has been hailed hero.

Stephen Magill ran repeatedly into Joyce Hubbard’s home to drag her
out but was beaten back by the thick black smoke each time.

But he managed to remove the blazing chair which was the source of
the deadly fire-fumes.

Sadly, multiple sclerosis sufferer Joyce Hubbard, 54, suffered 40
per cent burns in the fire and died in hospital three days later,
Southwark Coroners Court heard.

The inquest was told it was likely that Mrs Hubbard, whose solitary
pleasure was smoking in front of television, had probably accidentally
set herself alight.

Mr Magill, who lives opposite the home Mrs Hubbard shared with her
brother and mother in Knapmill Road, Bellingham, rushed into action
when told by his wife of the fire.

He told the inquest: ‘I ran across the road.

There was black
smoke pouring out of the front door.

‘Two women said there was someone inside.

I tried to enter but was
choked by the smoke.

‘I got a damp cloth and held it over my face and went in.

I heard a
moaning sound and there was a woman lying on the floor.

‘She was on fire so I used my cloth to put the fire out.

‘But I began to choke and ran out.

‘
When he got his breath back he and another neighbour ran into
the house again, only to be beaten back once again by the fumes.

Unable to rescue Mrs Hubbard, they instead removed the source of
the smoke by dragging the blazing chair out of the house.

She was rushed to hospital but died from smoke inhalation and 40
per cent burns on April 27 this year, three days after the fire.

Deputy Coroner Philip Joseph praised Mr Magill’s quick thinking and
selfless actions.

‘I would like to commend you for going into that house.

I think you
made great efforts to try to save her.

Thank you very much.

‘
Turning to the rest of the court, he added: ‘I think this is a
tragic accident – a woman suffering from multiple sclerosis,
wheelchair-bound, could hardly speak, could hardly hold anything and
had to be looked after every day by her mother and brother.

‘Her only joy was watching television and smoking.

‘Her brother heroically tried to look after her, telling her many
times about being careful about cigarettes.

‘There is a limit to how much time you can spend with someone and
in a few minutes away from someone an accident can occur.

‘
Verdict: Accident.

ENDS