Gisborne house fire: ‘Mystery hero’ Tim Morris comes forward after rescuing elderly man
Tim Morris, a 37-year-old construction worker, has come forward as the 'mystery hero' who rescued an 89-year-old man from a house fire in Gisborne. Police publicly thanked Morris for his bravery after he initially left the scene without identifying himself.
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Human interest stories regarding public safety and community heroism highlight local civic engagement and emergency response dynamics.
Tim Morris said he does not consider himself a hero. Photo / NZ Police
A man who risked his life pulling an elderly resident from an early-morning house fire has come forward after a police appeal.
Gisborne construction worker Tim Morris, 37, was driving with a friend about 1am on Saturday when he spotted a house ablaze on Aberdeen Rd.
The pair quickly pulled over and braved thick smoke to haul an 89-year-old man to safety through a broken window.
But after checking whether anyone else was inside the house, they left without identifying themselves.
Senior station officer Tim Lister told the Gisborne Herald the interior of the house was “significantly damaged”.
“The elderly man who lived there was taken to hospital by ambulance, suffering from moderate smoke inhalation,” he said.
“A passerby saw the fire, broke a window and hauled the man out to safety.
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