Mother rescued from Ches. house fire

CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Two good samaritans kicked down the front door of a Great Bridge home to rescue a woman from flames.

The fire started in homeowner Michelle Hare's garage and reached the attic, according to Chesapeake Fire spokesperson Capt. Sam Gulisano.

For the Hare family, however, it was more than a fire.

"We’re glad about where we’re at in Chesapeake and to be part of this community that’s for sure," said Kevin Hare, Michelle's husband.

One passerby, Bryn Hitchcock, and a neighbor, Corey Lesko, saw the fire and knocked down the Hare's front door. 

"[It was the] right time [and] right place," said Hitchcock.

"I didn’t really think; it was just surreal," said Lesko. "Went by the window and saw the garage was on fire so I went by...and that’s when I seen him [Hitchcock]. We both just rammed the door; kicked it in."

Michelle Hare was standing on the other side.

"I’m thinking, 'oh my god my garage is on fire,'" said Hare.

Lesko knows the family, Hitchcock had never met them, but it didn’t matter, both men went back in multiple times.

"We got the dogs out and then got her out and then I went back in two more times," said Lesko.

"I needed my pocketbook, so they went back in, my pocketbook was there. I said you need to move the car," said Hare.

Lesko and Hitchcock weren’t the only heroes. Firefighters put out the fire soon after arriving.

"It was very upsetting," said Hare. "I sat on the lawn and sobbed for a few minutes."

They determined the cause was electrical.

"I’m just glad that she’s safe, the dogs are safe, I mean everything else is replaceable," said Hitchcock.

"You know it just shows you about neighbors and people; we’ve had people from church come out and neighbors we don’t know come and offer us a place to stay, it’s wonderful," said Hare.

 The Bank of Hampton Roads is collecting donations to assist the Hare family. The title of the account is Hare House Fire Fund. Bank of Hampton Roads has thirty locations in Hampton Roads that can take donations.