Chesterfield neighbors rescue elderly couple from house fire

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - A Chesterfield woman and her father rescued an elderly couple from a house fire in early January after hearing their cries for help from a neighboring home.

Tiffany Holmes, who lives near Hopkins Road, said she heard someone calling for help after going to bed one evening. When she looked out her window, she saw her neighbor’s home engulfed in flames.

“You only see that stuff in movies. So to see that in real life. That was really scary,” Holmes said.

The fire was spreading quickly, and neighbors began to notice the thick smoke. Cristy Laudadio, who lives two streets away, said she could smell burning plastic and the air was thick with smoke.

Holmes and her father immediately went to help rescue everyone inside the burning home.

“The fire escaped out the front door and the window. My dad had to pull her over the railing because she couldn’t come down the steps and I was on the phone with 911 when that whole incident happened,” Holmes said.

Fire crews arrived and extinguished the blaze. The couple and their dog survived, but their cat could not be saved.

Laudadio, who recorded video of the fire, wanted to find and thank the heroes from that night. She found Holmes through social media after seeing a news report.

“It says a lot about someone that will risk their own life to save others,” Laudadio said.

The search to thank Holmes led to a friendship between the two women. Laudadio discovered Holmes runs a baking business called “KTM Delights” and visited her home to express her gratitude.

“She feels like a person I already knew,” Holmes said.

Laudadio wanted to do more to acknowledge Holmes’ bravery and arranged for her to receive a random acts of kindness award.

Holmes was surprised with the recognition and $300 at New Direction Childcare, where she works.

Holmes said she checks in regularly with the couple, who are temporarily staying with friends and family while recovering from the fire.

“I’m very thankful for everybody who’s calling me and my dad heroes. But I feel like the hero’s God, because he kept us up knowing that we usually go to bed early and to just help out without no hesitation. That’s the right thing to do,” Holmes said.