A Newcastle father has been hailed a hero after rescuing his family from a terrifying kitchen fire that erupted while he was cooking dinner.
Matt Bright, 38, was preparing a meal in his Newcastle home when a sudden flare-up turned into a full-blown blaze. Within moments, thick black smoke filled the kitchen as flames licked at the ceiling.
'I just acted on instinct,' Bright later told reporters. 'One second everything was normal, the next I was grabbing my kids and getting everyone out.'
Neighbours reported hearing smoke alarms blaring as the family escaped to safety. Fire crews arrived within minutes and managed to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to other properties.
Kitchen Safety Warning
Fire safety experts have used the incident to remind households about essential precautions:
- Never leave cooking unattended
- Keep flammable materials away from heat sources
- Ensure smoke alarms are working
- Have a fire blanket readily available
The Bright family's home suffered significant smoke damage but thankfully no injuries were reported. Local authorities praised Matt's quick thinking and urged all residents to familiarise themselves with fire safety procedures.
