‘True hero’ helps save Belfair baby from burning home | 911

A Belfair family narrowly escaped injury when their mobile home burned to ground on Sunday afternoon.

A mother and her four children were inside when smoke started to fill the home on Highway 3 near Judy Lane around 5 p.m., according to Mason County Fire District 2 Chief Beau Bakken.

That’s when Collins Lake resident Robin Adair saw the flames while she was driving down Highway 3.

Three of the children were outside the home and told Adair their mother was in the behind the house trying to enter the room where an 11-month-old baby was lying in a crib.

Bakken said the mother helped give Adair a boost so she could climb through a window to the baby’s room.

Adair pulled the infant from the crib and escaped the house seconds before fire consumed the room.

“She is a true hero,” Bakken said. “We don’t usually condone people going back into burning structures, but I don’t know if we would have had a minute to spare.”

Fire crews arrived minutes later and were able to quickly put out the flames. No one was hurt in the blaze.

Damage to the uninsured home and two vehicles is estimated at $75,000. The Red Cross is assisting the family with temporary housing.

The fire district has set up an account for donations to the family at Olympia Federal Savings. Clothing and other donations can be dropped off at the Belfair Community Baptist Church.

Adair will be honored with a Valor Award on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the North Mason Chamber Luncheon. 

Bakken said it is only the third time his department has given the award.