Toddlers dubbed ‘miracle terrors’

Press, 12 April 1988, Page 1

Toddlers dubbed ‘miracle terrors’

Special correspondent Auckland Lena Reid has dubbed hbr two three-year-old grandchildren the “miracle terrors.” (• J ( . The Mangere youngsters were dragged from a burning and smoke-filled bedroom yesterday by anuncle who badly gashed himself diving through a window. . In a frantic search of i the pitch-black room, Matthew Reid found his nephew, Bryce, and niece, |Haylee, cowering under a bed. | . V | "They are full of mischief, and it is amlracle that they are still alive,”, said a relieved Mrs Reid last evening. "They follow each other into trouble. This is the second time they have escaped by the skin of their teeth." ( Early last year, the toddlers survived an unsupervised I dip in a neighbour’s swimming pool. Mrs Reid believes the pair were saved from certain death by the family’s Rottweiler dog, Kaz. i "There is no other, explanation. The kids were soaking wet, and some of their clothing was at the bottom of the pool. They could not have got out by themselves. The dog was sodden as, well," said Mrs Reid. Matthew Reid was watching television with three friends in the lounge of , his parent’s Kairanga Street, Mangere, house at lunchtime yesterday when he smelt smoke. “I could smell ( it, but just thought it was the neighbour burning rubbish as (he often does,” 1 he said. 'll However, Mr Reid, aged (21, leapt to his feet on hearing 'his sister,) Irene — the mother of one of the children — scream that smoke was pouring from a bedroom. H ( “The kids had locked the door, so I ran outside, opened a window and dived in. As , I went through, the bottom window smashed, cutting my leg”I he 'said. ||; ; 1 | “I did not worry about it at! the time.' I was only concerned! for the children.” | . .' ! | |( : Groping in the darkness as flames licked from under the door 11 of a wardrobe, Mr Reid picked up the end of a bed. ‘.‘ljust grabbed at anything, and there they were lying underneath the bed. They were not moving and did not say al word.”

Mr' Reid threw the two children I (to his friends, who) [had by now managed to kick down the bedroom door. He then turned his attention to fighting the fire. |; “My mate was trying to get the garden hose off its reel. I took it and sprinted round the house and sprayed it inside, i h “The fire was just starting to go out as the fire engines arrived,”, j'- | | :||. ' ; Computer, television and video I equipment stored in the' wardrobe [Was wrecked. ji Mr Reid was taken by ambulance) to Middlemore Hospital, where he had 20 stitches put in the lower right leg. . I I. (j I

The two children were also admitted briefly for observation, and discharged. 1