Kate Winslet Saves Richard Branson's Mom in Fire

Actress carries 90-year-old woman to safety
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 23, 2011 2:40 AM CDT
Kate Winslet Saves Richard Branson's Mom in Fire
A blaze believed to have been caused by lightning rips through Richard Branson's luxury home on Necker Island, in the Caribbean.   (AP Photo/Virgin Limited Edition/PA)

Titanic star Kate Winslet appears to be a good person to have around during a real emergency. All 20 guests escaped unharmed after a fire ripped through Richard Branson's luxury home on a private Caribbean island early yesterday—including the billionaire's 90-year-old mother, who was carried to safety by Winslet. The star's boyfriend and two children also made it out of the home unharmed.

"She was great. She swept her up into her arms and got them out of the house as fast as possible," Branson tells the Telegraph. “She said it was like being in a film set where you’re waiting for the words 'cut,' but they just don’t come. It was quite surreal for her to be in a real-life situation." The blaze on Necker Island is believed to have been the result of a lightning strike during a storm caused by Hurricane Irene. (More Kate Winslet stories.)

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