Man Saves Neighbor From Suicide Attempt, Officials Say

A man who apparently tried to burn himself to death Thursday was rescued by a partially paralyzed neighbor who dragged him out of a smoky mobile home, fire officials said.

The fire broke out at about 3 p.m. at the Midway Mobile Home Park, 200 W. Midway Drive, after a 33-year-old man apparently doused himself with gasoline and ignited himself with a lighter, fire officials said.

Steven Anthony Gardner, 38, a neighbor, pulled the burning man to safety, officials said.

Gardner said he heard a shout to call 911 and dashed out to see smoke coming out of his neighbor’s mobile home. He ran to get a crowbar and quickly broke open the door, he said.

“It was pitch-black in there,” Gardner said. “I took a breath and I went inside and started feeling for a body. And I found him. I grabbed him by his belt buckle and dragged him out of the trailer.”

Gardner, whose right arm is partially paralyzed from an auto accident, said it took him five attempts before he could pull the victim to safety. Because he could only use his left arm, Gardner had to pull the man a short distance, then run out for fresh air.

The victim, whose name was withheld, was listed in critical condition at UCI Medical Center in Orange, officials said.

Gardner was treated at Western Medical Center-Anaheim for smoke inhalation and released.

Gardner, who described the victim as a good friend, said he doesn’t believe the man had attempted suicide. “I think he fell asleep with a cigarette,” he said.