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New Plymouth grandmother Barbara Shearer - Source: ONE News -
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New Plymouth grandmother Barbara Shearer normally doesn't move too fast but when her family's life was on the line, she ran like the wind.
A while ago, the house which Barbara lives in and which houses two tenants and her two grandsons - one of which has Down's syndrome - was engulfed in fire by a candle.
The heat was so strong that it shattered all the windows in the house and blistered all the paint and even the fence caught on fire.
But that didn't stop the 70-year-old grandma, who when seeing the fire kept her cool, moving quickly to get her grandsons and her tenants out of the house.
Even though Barbara has had two hip replacements, she moved pretty quick, going off to warn the neighbours, thereby giving them time to protect their house from the flames with a garden hose.
For that they are eternally grateful. The neighbours say Barbara was the only one with a cool head as the fire kept blazing.
"Barbara was around saving everyone eh, we were all screaming and freaky and Barbara was the one who got the cars out, the people out from downstairs, made sure the neighbours were safe, it was Barbara, it wasn't any of us," says Donna Moke, a neighbour.
In fact Barbara was so calm; she even had time to move the skyline safely onto the street.
In New Plymouth now, Barbara Shearer has hero status and finds it all a little embarrassing.
She says she did what she believes pretty much anyone would do in the case of a fire.
Whenever anyone meets at 111 Glen Park Avenue nowadays, they talk about the grandma with the cool head and quick heels.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentRuralWomenNZ said on 2011-06-17 @ 09:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hey! We thought you might be interested in the aftersocks projects that will raise money for the Chch Mayoral Fund. The idea came from two Cantabrian sisters called Justine and Jo Ottey. Check out the website www.aftersocks.co.nz from the 20th June or www.facebook.com/aftersocks.
Jazz1 said on 2010-05-24 @ 14:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Love this segment! What great people!
margi21 said on 2010-04-07 @ 21:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I have this guys heart i would be dead if it wasent for him , thanks barry !
Jankeal said on 2009-12-25 @ 23:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tim is my father and i'd just like to say that i'm proud of what he does bringing happiness to others lives and yet still finds time to talk and see his grandchildren. For a man who's had it rough the last 2-3 years it hasn't slowed him down and he still has time for everyone. Good on you dad/Pop!
TheHoltens said on 2009-12-21 @ 11:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The piece about Mark Granthams brought tears to my eyes. What an inspirational young man. Has made me look at myself and realise what little I do for the wider community. Thanks Mark :)