Hero Husband, 90, Refuses to Give Up on Wife in Wheelchair Who Gets Stuck on Porch of Burning Home

90-years-old Arthur Schneider lived happy life while being caregiver to his wheelchair-bound wife and mom of his 9 kids, Rosemary. One day, their lifelong house was suddenly engulfed in flames. Loving husband did not hesitate for a second to free the love of his life from life threatening danger. However, the porch became their major obstacle.

An elderly couple was left in a precarious situation when a fire broke out in their home. Luckily, Arthur, 90, saved his wife, Rosemary, 89. Rosemary was unable to walk, but Arthur pulled out all the stops to help her.

In April 2015, Rosemary and Aruther were in their Asheboro, North Carolina home when a storm erupted. Shortly after that, a fire broke out in the couple’s house, and Arthur was left finding ways to save his beloved wife

Rosemary and Arthur met, married, and welcomed nine beautiful children who gave them twenty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren before Rosemary was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Arthur became her caregiver. Their daughter, Bernadette, gushed:

“My dad is a saint. I told him [he’ll] go straight to heaven for what he’s done for her the last two or three years.”

The couple enjoyed many years together as empty-nesters when their children grew up and left the family home, but it all came crashing down around them one night eight years ago, much to their family’s horror.

They spent half their life in their beautiful home, where they raised their children and had their grandchildren’s laughter fill their air. Yet it was suddenly ravaged by a fire which Arthur saved his wife from.

The couple had been married for 68 years when the fire broke out in their home, leaving Rosemary, who uses a wheelchair, in grave danger. The couple’s daughter, Bernadette, explained that the only thing Rosemary could do by herself was eat.

Arthur helped her carry out all her other daily activities. Bernadette confirmed that her father did everything for her mother daily. When the fire broke out, he knew he would have to save his wife.

He sprung to action and thought on his feet when he saved his wife from the home that was going down in flames before their very eyes. His quick thinking saved them both and allowed their family peace of mind when they arrived on the scene.

How Did Arthur, 90, Save Rosemary from Burning Home?

Arthur and Rosemary had a happy marriage and were an example to their children of enduring love. Until the day of the fire, they had been happily living alone in their family home. Yet they would soon have to leave.

On the day of the fire, Arthur explained that Rosemary was in her wheelchair in the couple’s bedroom, which is quite far from any exit. Arthur had been tending to his wife when he thought a lightning bolt might have hit their transformer, causing the fire.

The smoke alarms in the house were buzzing, and there was so much smoke that Arthur said he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face. Yet he managed to navigate his way out of the house with his wife.

Talking about what he thought when he saved his wife from the fire ravaging their family home, Arthur remarked: “I had to go back and get her. She’s part of me.” Arthur took his wife out of their bedroom to get her to safety

Bernadette then reported that Arthur had pushed Rosemary’s wheelchair through the smokey house and out onto their front porch, where they encountered their front steps. They could go no further.

Arthur couldn’t lift Rosemary or her wheelchair down the stairs alone, so he ran over to the neighbor’s house, which is a football field away, without his cane to ask them for their help in saving Rosemary.

Arthur admitted that he didn’t know how he had run so far without his cane, surprising even himself and then mused:

“I guess God gives us a little strength when we need it.”

The neighbor rushed over and helped get Rosemary’s wheelchair off the front porch and then called 911. Soon after, the Asheboro Fire Department arrived on the scene and confirmed there was a fire but declined to give any further comment.

What Happened to Arthur and Rosemary After That Tragic Day?

The situation was treacherous for both Arthur and his wife, but the couple both made it out of the house unharmed, much to the surprise of their family, who didn’t expect such a great outcome

The couple’s son-in-law said that when he was called to the scene, he expected to find the worst when he arrived, yet he was pleasantly surprised to see that they were both safely out of the house. He said:

“Surviving this as they did, and really unscathed; kind of a miracle, be honest.”

While Rosemary was not home when Arthur was interviewed, he was described as “her hero and true love.” However, Arthur did not see himself as a hero and said he had to get his wife out of the house.

Bernadette and her husband then moved Rosemary and Arthur into their house after the fire damaged the home they had enjoyed for half of their marriage. While the family praises Arthur for his quick reactions, he says nothing about what he did was outstanding.

Half of Rosemary and Arthur’s home was damaged by the fire, which meant they could no longer live there. Yet their family knew they needed a place to stay and happily asked them to move in with them to stay safe.

After almost seven decades together, Arthur was asked how they had endured throughout the years. He said they were able to do so because it was a good marriage that they couldn’t afford to lose.