A 31-year-old supermarket worker became an instant hero after running straight from his shift to rescue newborn twins and their parents from a terrifying house fire in Glasgow.
Craig Robertson had just clocked off at Asda Robroyston when he heard screams and saw thick smoke pouring from a nearby home. Without a second thought, he charged into danger and helped pull the trapped family to safety.
The Moment Everything Changed
Craig arrived home in the Robroyston area around 7pm on Monday evening after finishing his shift. As he stepped out of his car, desperate shouting cut through the quiet street.
“I heard the commotion from down the road,” Craig told the Daily Record. “As soon as I looked up and saw the smoke, I just ran. You don’t think, you just go.”
When he reached the house on Brookfield Road, he found the family trapped on the landing. Flames blocked the staircase and thick smoke made it impossible to see or breathe properly.
The parents were clutching their newborn twins and another young child. They had no way out.
Quick Thinking Under Pressure
Craig didn’t hesitate. He grabbed a neighbour’s doormat and started beating the flames on the stairs, managing to knock down the worst of the fire while it was still smouldering.
Another neighbour brought wet towels. Together they draped them over the family’s heads and guided them through the smoke, one by one.
“We got them all out safely. The relief when everyone was outside was massive,” Craig said. “It was scary, but I’m just glad the babies are okay.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received the call at 7.12pm and sent three appliances to the scene. Firefighters arrived to find the family already out of the property thanks to Craig and the neighbour’s actions.
All five family members – the parents, the newborn twins, and another infant – were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for checks. Amazingly, none suffered serious injury.
Community Praise Pours In
News of Craig’s bravery spread quickly across Robroyston and beyond. Neighbours described him as “an absolute hero” and “the kind of person you want living on your street”.
Asda released a statement praising their employee: “We are incredibly proud of Craig. His quick thinking and courage saved lives. He is a credit to our Robroyston store and the entire Asda family.”
Local councillor Maureen Burke said: “This is what community spirit looks like. Craig didn’t think about his own safety, he just ran towards danger to help others. The family owe him everything.”
Friends have set up a collection at the Asda store to show their appreciation, with many customers leaving messages of thanks at the checkouts.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
House fires remain one of Scotland’s biggest killers. Official figures show 44 people died in accidental house fires in 2023/24, with smoke inhalation the main cause in most cases.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service stresses the importance of working smoke alarms and having an escape plan. In this case, the family’s alarms did sound, giving them vital minutes before the situation became deadly.
What makes Craig’s story particularly powerful is how ordinary it started. He wasn’t a trained firefighter. He was just a regular guy finishing his shift, buying his dinner, heading home.
Yet when lives depended on it, he became exactly what that family needed.
That’s the thing about real heroes. They don’t wear capes. Sometimes they wear green Asda uniforms and still have their name badge on when they run into burning buildings.
Craig says he doesn’t feel like a hero. “Anyone would have done the same,” he insists.
But the family who get to hold their newborn twins tonight know different.
They get to watch them grow up because one man heard screams and decided to run towards them instead of away.
That’s not just bravery. That’s the best of humanity, right there on a ordinary Monday evening in Robroyston.
What do you think of Craig’s actions? Have you ever witnessed ordinary people doing extraordinary things? Share your thoughts below.
