A Hillsborough County woman pulled from a burning home wants to thank her rescuers.
Melanie Caffrey says her husband is still in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital after she and her husband were pulled from their burning house Sunday. She says if it wasn't for the heroic actions of several people, they would probably not have survived.
"They’re angels,” said Melanie, sitting on a bench outside TGH, with tears in her eyes. “I mean, not many people would risk their lives for somebody they don't even know. And I didn't even know the man that pulled me out."
Melanie said she and her husband David were asleep in their Thonotosassa mobile home, when they woke up to smoke. David got up to check it out.
"He opened the door and it just barreled in and it hit him in the face. The first thing he did is he grabbed the blanket and he threw it over me," said Melanie. "The last thing I heard him say was 'we're going to die' and he passed out."
Seconds later, a neighbor broke down the back door.
“He said, ‘run to my voice,’ and I did, and he grabbed me and threw me out of the house and they wouldn't let me back in," said Melanie.
Hillsborough County firefighters arrived minutes later and rushed in for the rescue.
David's now at TGH where Melanie says he has needed breathing treatments and a skin graft for burns. His asthma has complicated his recovery. But, he's alive.
"I know it's the firefighters' job, and I respect them so much for doing these things, because not many people have what it takes," said Melanie.
Melanie has a message for their heroes.
"Just thank you," said Melanie. "I am alive because of him and David is alive because of the firefighters."
The neighbor who pulled Melanie out of the home is Tom Byrd, who lives across the street from the couple. Melanie would like to thank him in person one day, as well as the firefighters.
In the meantime, friends, family and community members have been donating what they can to the couple who lost everything. David is an electrician, and Melanie is a graphic artist. Melanie lost her projects and computer in the fire.
The couple was a few payments away from paying off their home. Melanie said they do not have insurance.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it’s not clear if there were working smoke detectors in the home.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the couple.
Note: This Gofundme.com site is not managed by Bay News 9. For more information on how the site works and the rules visit: http://www.gofundme.com/safety.