Blind man escapes massive house fire

AMELIA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) – According to fire officials, two people have been displaced following a house fire in Amelia County at around 8 a.m. Sunday morning. No injuries were reported but two people are displaced, including a blind man.

“What makes it remarkable is that my dad is blind,” explained Rodger Delp, the son of the homeowner. I don’t know if it was helpful because he’s used to moving around without being able to see, but certainly miraculous.”

Delp’s father escaped his burning home with just minutes to spare.

“He felt an intense amount of heat on his face once he opened the front door,” Delp said. He retreated back into the house, grabbed his phone, and attempted to call 911.”

According to Delp, his father was in a state of confusion as his house went up in flames. His son says his father described calling for help, “not easy.”

“When that failed, he realized he needed to get out of the house immediately,” He said.

Family members say they can’t quite understand how he miraculously made his way through the burning home..

“He continues to the back and gets down the stairs and in the backyard,” his son said.

Neighbors came to his aid in the nick of time.

“The neighbors noticed that the house was in flames,” Delp explained. “They were able to come and talk to my dad and get him over to their house.”

The house may be a complete loss, but Roger Delp says he’s thankful his dad is still alive.

“My parents belongings and their lifetime worth of belongings, including all the photos from when me and my sisters were kids are gone.”

Two of Delp’s four dogs did go missing but he hopes that they will return soon.