A 14-year-old girl who rescued her handicapped nine-year-old sister from a fire was declared a hero in Patrickswell, Co Limerick, yesterday. Emma Byrnes, who has Down's Syndrome and suffers from a heart condition was recovering at the Limerick Regional Hospital yesterday from smoke inhalation.
Her 14-year-old sister, Nicola, said Emma was asleep upstairs in their home in Lisheen Park at 10 p.m. on Monday when unusual noises were heard. Ms Mary Byrnes, who was downstairs with her two daughters and eight-year-old son, said Nicola ran upstairs and rushed through the smoke and fire to bring Emma to safety. Two units of Limerick fire brigade fought the blaze.