OCILLA, GA (WALB) -
A 99-year-old Ocilla man is alive, thanks to his neighbors who rescued him from his burning home. The blaze destroyed Reuben George's house Sunday afternoon.
Investigators say the fire is suspicious, so the state fire marshal's office is trying to determine the cause.
Roosevelt Hollis knew his neighbor was trapped in a burning home, but getting inside would be no easy task. Faced with flames and heavy smoke, he and his son braved the inferno as they heard a 99-year-old man screaming for help.
"I was across the street working on a car and I saw the smoke. So I run over and kicked in the front door," said Hollis. "I met smoke and couldn't get in so I walked around the back."
As the fire grew in size, Hollis grew desperate. All along knowing Mr. George was trapped inside.
"I came around here and kicked the back door open and when I did, flames shot out, And I heard him hollering, Help! Help! Help!"
With little time to improvise, Hollis and son saw one last option. "I snatched this air conditioner out then my son lifted me up and put me in the window. I couldn't see him for the smoke. So I came back out and then went back and said 'give me your hand!' He gave me his hand and I just picked him out of the window," Hollis said.
It wasn't long after the home was fully engulfed in flames. Reuben George was rushed to the hospital.
Mean time firefighters from Ocilla and surrounding volunteer crews had a five alarm fire on their hands.
Investigators say George was staying with caretaker Tonya Robinson who had left the home to go the store. But the cause of the fire is unknown and therefore suspicious. We were there as an investigator with state fire marshal's office looked over the charred remnants of the house..a total loss.
But amazingly, no loss of life.
"I'm not a hero. Just helping out my neighbor," Hollis said.
And Mr. George was taken to Irwin County Hospital and is expected to be OK. Investigators wouldn't say why they think the fire is suspicious. No word on when the state fire marshal's investigation will be complete.
But if you did see anything suspicious in the area of North Pine Street around 4:30 Sunday, call Ocilla Police.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
The house is a total loss
Roosevelt Hollis knew his neighbor was trapped
FOX19-WXIX
