Jewish man in Gateshead hailed as potential lifesaver by fire service

David Dombrowski got his elderly neighbours help in preventing a possibly fatal fire after learning of a local firefighter initiative

A Jewish man in the north-east of England has been hailed as a good neighbour after arranging for the local fire service to visit an elderly couple living next door to help prevent a deadly blaze.

David Dombrowski, 39, who lives in the Saltwell area of Gateshead, alerted Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) after hearing about a campaign they had launched to help keep vulnerable people safe.

He referred his neighbours, Joseph and Lorraine Kane, both 78, who have been living in the area since 1966, and the gesture was certainly appreciated, both by the couple and fire safety officers.

“Down the years Mrs Kane has always been a very gracious neighbour,” said Dombrowski, who has lived in Gateshead for 15 years. “She always takes the time out of her day to say hello. I was aware of her husband Joseph’s mobility issues and I thought that a visit by the fire service might be beneficial.”

David and Lorraine with a TWFRS prevention and education officer

Lorraine said the safety checks were “very important, especially when you are disabled and can’t get out of the house that quickly to escape a potential fire”, adding that the visit “definitely helped to ease our fears and put our minds at rest”.

Abbie Thompson from TWFRS said: “It was a pleasure to meet with David and Lorraine and to talk about the importance of fire safety. It’s so refreshing to know that community spirit is alive and well across Tyne and Wear. A neighbourly action can go a long way to saving someone’s life.”