Hero awakens people inside burning home after lightening strike - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Hero awakens people inside burning home after lightening strike

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Matthew Rubrich was inside the burning home and says he was awaken by a neighbor.  (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com) Matthew Rubrich was inside the burning home and says he was awaken by a neighbor. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) -

Matthew Rubrich and his friend were sound asleep in the back of the house when it was struck by lightning. They didn't even know their lives were in danger until a neighbor woke them up.

"I owe him more than I ever can repay," said Kerilee Rubrich.

With firefighters surrounding their home, she hugged her grown son.  Being able to touch him a gift from their neighbor, Jerry Stevens.

"Him and his friends saw that the house was on fire, so they kicked down the door and saved my son," Kerilee Rubrich said.

What is the first thing Matthew Rubrich recalls?

"Getting woken up to "the house is on fire, need to get out of here."  The door was broken down. My neighbor, Jerry, had busted down the door and got us awake.  We were dead asleep upstairs."

Firefighters from Chesterfield Township, Shelby Township and Clinton Township raced to the Macomb Township home.  It was just before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.  When they arrived, smoke and flames were spreading through the house.  The damage was caused by Mother Nature.

"It was a lightening strike to the roof of the structure," said Battalion Chief Mark Turo with the Clinton Township Fire Department.

"It wasn't long before the flames were coming out of the top of the house and the smoke was
billowing everywhere," Matthew Rubrich said.

The pet parrot and a lifetime of pictures were able to be saved.  Their neighbor suffered a heart
attack and smoke inhalation during the daring rescue, but he is expected to recover.

To this family that lost so much in the fire, they also gained a lot.  A hero for a neighbor.

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