Smart doorbell helps neighbors rescue 87-year-old with Alzheimer's from fire

An 87-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer's was dramatically rescued from a house fire in Wigston, Leicestershire, thanks to a combination of quick-thinking neighbors and modern technology. Phyllis Day was asleep when a fire broke out in an auxiliary room of her home shortly after 11:30 p.m.

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It was terrifying. I lost the image for a few seconds and only heard voices. When it returned, I saw my mother coming out of the house.

Neighbors noticed smoke and flames and rushed to help. Meanwhile, her daughter, Susan Wright, who lives about eight kilometers away, received an alert from her Ring smart doorbell system, which detected motion outside her mother's house. Initially fearing a break-in, she soon realized it was neighbors responding to the fire.

Through the doorbell's two-way audio, Wright guided the neighbors, Paul Sharpal and Stefan Smart, who bravely entered the burning house. She directed them to the key box and its code, allowing them access. Wright and her husband immediately headed to the scene, monitoring the rescue via the camera feed.

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It was the worst experience of my life.

Sharpal described the experience as the worst of his life, battling smoke to reach the bedroom. Smart noted that Day seemed disbelieving upon being found, as if suspecting a robbery. They guided her safely outside. Dean Archer, another neighbor, also assisted after hearing an explosion.

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She looked at me as if she thought I was going to rob her.

Investigators believe an electrical fault in the kitchen or auxiliary room likely started the blaze. Day, who had removed her hearing aids, remained unaware of the danger. The fire caused extensive damage to the ground floor of the three-story house, reducing furniture and appliances to ashes.

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We tried to break down the door, but eventually found the keys with the help of her daughter through the doorbell.