Cabbie hailed as hero in Placentia fire

A cab driver who helped a couple escape a fire in Newfoundland's Placentia Bay this weekend is being recognized for heroism.

John Mulrooney was driving his cab in the Dunville area of Placentia on Saturday morning when he noticed smoke coming from the basement of a home.

RCMP Const. Tony Seaward said Mulrooney immediately called the fire department.

"The people in the house were asleep," Seaward told CBC News.

"There was a smoke detector in the house, but it didn't go off."

Seaward said Mulrooney worked with a firefighter to help the couple when they got out safely.

"They located the people there in the bedroom. The firefighter came out with one person, the lady there of the house," Seaward said.

"Eventually [the man in the house] did come out, and the family pets followed shortly behind, and everyone was safe."

The couple had no insurance on their home.

Seaward said the fire was caused by electrical wiring in the basement.