How these joggers’ late start proved life saving for a family

FOR Donielle Beard and Sharon Critchley their decision to start their early morning jog 45 mintues late proved to be life saving for a family of three still fast asleep as a fire took hold in their house.

Sharon Critchley and Donielle Beard, seen with Mambo the dog, play down their roles as heroines. Pictures: David Swift

• Snap Sydney a rousing success

FOR Donielle Beard and Sharon Critchley their decision to start their jogging later than usual proved to be life saving for a family of three.

In a heavenly coincidence, the pair, who usually leave their Kellyville homes for Saturday jogs at 5am, left 45 minutes later that fateful day, November 5.

However, the two close friends are the last to call themselves heroines for waking the family of Keshwa Singh who were unaware their Beaumont Hills home was on fire.

Sharon Critchley, Donielle Beard and Mambo.

“We are not heroes by any means,” Mrs Beard told the Rouse Hill Times. “We were just meant to be there.”

Mrs Critchely, her friend from Galston High School days, added: “We really didn’t do anything special as your instincts just kick in.

“We were at the right place at he right time and I am sure you would have done the same thing.”

While Mrs Beard kept banging on the door and yelling to the residents inside that their house was on fire, Mrs Critchley was on the road tying to flag down a motorist or passer-by as they didn’t have a phone to call the fire brigade.

Keshwa Singh thanking Glen Coker for saving his life.

It was Beaumont Hills cyclist Glen Coker — stopped while going for his weekly 70km run to Vineyard — who then rushed to the back of the burning house to drag Mr Keshwa Singh to safety after his wife Meena and daughter Patricia had fled outside.

Mr Coker, 53, himself also played down his role as a hero, saying: “I’m no hero, mate ... I don’t think I am brave, I was just worried about the people who were inside the house.”

Mrs Beard, whose dog was with her, said they also went to the next door house to alert them about the affair but no one opened the door.

“We were jogging a bit later than usual — we usually start at 5am — and when we reached the bottom of Hotham Ave we got a smell of something burning,” Mrs Beard said.

Sharon Critchley, and Donielle Beard and Mambo.

How we reported the rescue on November 16.

“It was a strange smell and then we saw a smoke haze as we walked up the hill.

“I told Sharon to stay on the road and try and stop anyone to make the emergency call as we don’t carry mobiles while jogging.

“I began banging hard on the door but no one was responding.

“After a few minutes, a girl inside came to the door but didn’t open it, so I didn’t know if she has heard me.

“But through the timber door I yelled that the back of her house was on fire

“I kept on banging harder on the door and finally she came out and I told her their house was on fire and they had to get out.

The inside of the burn out house. Picture: David Swift

“She and her mother then rushed out and she told us her father was trying to put the fire out at fire at the back.

“That’s when Sharon was able to stop the cyclist Glen Coker who gave her his phone to call triple-0.”

Mr Singh said he was keen to thank the two women, saying: “We were very lucky that the two women banged on our front door to alert us about the fire at the back of the house.

“We were fast asleep at that time and if not for these women and Glen, we would not be here today.”

Fire crews from Kellyville, Baulkham Hills and Seven Hills, who were at the scene at 6.36am, were able to put out the fire within half an hour. However, the house has suffered extensive damage and the Singhs are now staying at a hotel in the Hills.

■ Community help is welcome to help the Singhs as they try to recover from losing their home and possessions.