Chris Tollerson, 21, was having a cigarette when he saw the Good family's home become engulfed in flames
Chris Tollerson was having a cigarette when he noticed flames coming from the Good family's home in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, in the early hours of Sunday.
Chris, who was sleeping in the family's caravan on the drive, had nipped out for a cigarette when he noticed their home of 18 years was on fire. Mr Good, who is a paramedic with East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Chris is homeless and it just so happened that he was staying with us and sleeping in the caravan on the drive.
"I turned around and saw the whole side of the house ablaze. I banged on the door, called Josh, but there was no answer. I threw stones at the window and then started banging again."I also woke the neighbours up to get them out. The fire service said it themselves, if they were not out in 15 minutes the whole place would have burnt down. I think I would have lost both of my brothers and the rest of their family.
The family said that 90 percent of their belongings have been destroyed in the blaze and the fire has gutted downstairs including the kitchen and living room.