Fort Worth

”He Died a Hero”: Veteran Dead After Saving Family From Fire

A North Texas veteran is dead after running into his burning home multiple times to save his family and pets from a fire Wednesday morning, authorities said. [[292395431,L]]

Witnesses told NBC 5 that the homeowner, 65-year-old Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient George Steele, went back into the Decatur mobile home several times to rescue his children, extended family and pets.

Steele's wife, Faith, said he ran into the smoke-filled house one last time to try to help his aunt, who, unbeknownst to him, had already escaped through the back window.

"He died a hero," neighbor Monica Schumpert said. "He was a Vietnam Vet. He had a Purple Heart. I guess it was just in his nature to save his family."

NBC 5 News
Clockwise from top: George Steele, 9-year-old son Javier, 1-year-old son Daniel and wife Faith.

Wise County Fire Marshal Chuck Beard said seven people were inside the home in the 200 block of Quail Chase Drive when the fire started at about 3 a.m.

Flames reached well above the roof, destroying the home.

“I could smell fire burning and wood burning,” said neighbor Jace Schumpert. “It was a huge fire, flames high.”

Firefighters found Steele's body inside the home, and they said several family pets were also killed in the fire.

Authorities said Steele's 9-year-old son, Javier, was taken to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth in critical condition for burns and smoke inhalation. He had trouble breathing, so doctors transferred him to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Steele's 1-year-old son, Daniel, was also taken to Cook Children's for smoke inhalation. Daniel remained at the hospital with his mother, Faith, but both are expected to be fine.

Betty Wilson, Steele's 70-year-old aunt, suffered burns and was transported to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur in critical condition.

There is no word yet on the cause of the fire.

Witnesses say a Vietnam veteran rushed into his mobile home multiple times to rescue his family and pets from a fire that left him presumably dead Wednesday morning.

NBC 5's Johnny Archer contributed to this report.

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