Heroes try to help in house fire

Chas Kent and Chris Guy. Photo / Pam Johnson

A "great neighbour" died in a house fire in Christchurch yesterday, despite the efforts of two passers-by to save him.

Chris Guy, 26, and Chas Kent, 22, were on their way to work about 6am when they saw smoke from a burning house in Sawyers Arms Rd, Harewood. Walter "Wally" Crawford, 87, was the sole occupant. He died at the scene.

Police have hailed Guy and Kent as heroes but the duo were modest. "I didn't even think about it, I wasn't worried about me, I was worried about the man inside," Guy said.

He banged on the side of the house while Kent kicked in the front door. Inside, Kent came across Crawford lying behind the door. "He must have tried to get out and the smoke must've got him.," Guy said.

The two men were unable to pull Crawford out before firefighters turned up. Neighbour Julie James believed Crawford, who "kept to himself", had lived in the area more than 40 years.

"He was a great neighbour, he used to spend a lot of time on the front porch reading the paper."

* A top Marlborough vineyard restaurant was gutted by fire yesterday. Firefighters from four Marlborough brigades were called to the Gibb's Vineyard Restaurant, west of Blenheim, just after 7am.

The dining room and kitchen were severely damaged.