Purple Heart veteran dies after saving family from fire: ‘He died a hero’

A 65-year-old Vietnam War veteran died Wednesday after running into his burning North Texas home several times to save his family and pets.

Wise County Fire Marshal Chuck Beard said seven people were inside the Decatur mobile home in the 200 block of Quail Chase Drive when the fire started at about 3 a.m., a local NBC affiliate reported.

Witnesses said George Steele, a Purple Heart recipient, went back into the home several times to rescue his children, extended family and pets. He died after his last frantic trip into the house in an effort to save his aunt, who had already escaped through a back window, his wife told the NBC affiliate.

“He died a hero,” said Monica Schumpert, Steele’s neighbor. “He died saving his family.”

Authorities said Steele’s 9-year-old son, Javier, was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth in critical condition for burns and smoke inhalation.

Steele’s 1-year-old son, Daniel, was also taken to Cook’s for smoke inhalation and is expected to be OK, the station reported.

Betty Wilson, Steele’s 70-year-old aunt, suffered burns and was transported to Wise Regional Health System in Decatur in critical condition, the station reported.

Several pets reportedly died in the fire.

The mobile home was destroyed, and the cause of the fire is now under investigation.

The American Red Cross is helping out the family, including the in-laws who only recently moved into the home, a local CBS affiliate reported.