DeKalb County News 3:18 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010

Postal worker saves Chamblee couple from house fire

  • Print
  • E-mail

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thank God it's Monday.

USPS mailman Donald Wortham was on his delivery route along  Janice Court when he spotted fire from the garage of the split-level home Monday, April 26, 2010. He called 911 and he said dispatcher ask him to check and make sure there's no one in the house. "I was banging at the door, " he said. Two people were inside the house at the time.
Vino Wong, vwong@ajc.com USPS mailman Donald Wortham was on his delivery route along Janice Court when he spotted fire from the garage of the split-level home Monday, April 26, 2010. He called 911 and he said dispatcher ask him to check and make sure there's no one in the house. "I was banging at the door, " he said. Two people were inside the house at the time.
Maria Hernandez is one of two people rescued from flames that destroyed her split-level rental home of four years at Janice Court in Chamblee,
Vino Wong, vwong@ajc.com Maria Hernandez is one of two people rescued from flames that destroyed her split-level rental home of four years at Janice Court in Chamblee,

It's typically the busiest day of Ellenwood postman Donald Wortham's week.

"If it had been Tuesday, I probably would've already passed the house before the fire started," Wortham, 54, told the AJC.

Around noon Monday, Wortham noticed smoke coming from a house in the 3000 block of Janice Court in Chamblee. Upon closer inspection, he observed a fire spreading from a truck parked in the carport. He called 911.

"The operator told me to knock on the door to make sure no one was there," said Wortham, a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service. He did, and after a few frantic knocks, a young couple emerged, oblivious that their residence was about to go up in flames.

The fire, likely started by an electric malfunction in the truck, overwhelmed the structure within minutes. The damage to the home was extensive, said Steve Ham, battalion chief for DeKalb County Fire and Rescue, but no one was injured.

"[Wortham] is definitely the hero here," Ham told the AJC.

Wortham disagrees.

"It's something anyone would've done," he said. "I'm just glad God put me at the right place at the right time."

Inside ajc.com

Can you see the change?

Can you see the change?

What's altered in the two photos? See how you score when you play the Find 5 Challenge!

Luckovich: Insurance rule

Luckovich: Insurance rule

Editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich gives his take on local news, politics, sports and celebrities.

Leave Gisele alone!

Leave Gisele alone!

"Twilight" star Kellan Lutz defended a model, M.I.A. flipped the bird and more this week in entertainment.

Atlanta day trip getaways

Atlanta day trip getaways

Escape from the grind using our list of destinations that require only a tank of gas and a sense of adventure.

Essence of music

Essence of music

Music industry veteran Sylvia Rhone and Kelly Rowland were honored at the Essence Black Women in Music event.

Lady in red

Lady in red

Actress Minka Kelly is among the celebrities who walked the Heart Truth red dress fashion show in New York.