A Co Down schoolgirl has been hailed a “hero” for saving the life of her mother when she caught fire in a freak accident at their family home.
Leah Walker Matthews sprung into action when her mother Teresa was set ablaze as she fuelled a fire in their living room in Warrenpoint.
The 13-year-old had been at home alone with her mother last Wednesday when Teresa tried to put oil into a wall mounted bio-oil fire but found herself engulfed in flames.
The teen, who is a pupil at St Mark's High School in Warrenpoint, was in the kitchen doing an online make-up tutorial and dashed to her mother's rescue after realising her hair and shoulder had been set alight.
Teresa's leg also caught fire during the terrifying episode and in turn ignited a settee she had fallen onto.
Her courageous daughter initially used a blanket to extinguish some of the flames before dragging her mother to a bathroom where she placed her in a shower, eventually putting the blaze out.
Leah then rang the Fire Service who rushed to the scene to put out a small blaze in the living room.
Ms Walker last night thanked her daughter who she believes saved her life.
“Only for her I would not be here or the house would not be here,” she said.
“She knew what to do and never panicked.
“She is my wee hero.
"She knew to drag me over the floor and she was thinking quick."
Ms Walker was later taken to Craigavon Area Hospital for treatment before being sent home to recuperate.
She revealed that she may have to go for a skin graft on her legs at a later date.
Her son Davy said he and his brother Daniel are very proud of their little sister, who he said is taking things in her stride.
“She doesn't even know, she is that easy going,” he said.
