Full Breakdown
Young Men Rescue Elderly Couple from Kirkstall Fire
7/4/2026, 1:54:03 PM
Fire Rescue on 19 June
On 19 June a fire ignited in the garden of a house on Lea Farm Road in Kirkstall, Leeds. While the blaze spread from a fence to the garage, two passing motorists, Mohsin Qayyum (22) and Mohammed Yusuf Iqbal (20), stopped, entered the property, and assisted the occupants—Sheila Robinson (77), her husband, and their 14-year-old grandson—to reach safety. Fire crews arrived shortly thereafter and extinguished the remaining flames.
Background and Cause
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service reported that the fire spread because a “combustible article” was positioned too close to a controlled fire. The service did not provide further detail on the nature of the article or the origin of the controlled fire.
Key Figures
- Sheila Robinson, 77, resident and survivor.
- Mohsin Qayyum, 22, Leeds-based driver who intervened.
- Mohammed Yusuf Iqbal, 20, originally from Bradford, later described as being in London.
- Kayla Robinson, family member who thanked the rescuers on social media.
- Tayba Tabeezi Azim, single mother of Qayyum.
- Saima Rafique, mother of Iqbal.
- West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, the regional emergency authority.
Timeline of Events
- 19 June, early evening – Fire starts in garden; fence and garage become involved.
- Shortly after – Qayyum and Iqbal spot the fire while driving past, see a man using a hose, and move to assist.
- Minutes later – They break through fences, help the family onto the street, and remain until fire crews arrive.
- Following hours – Two fire crews extinguish the blaze; the men are later invited to a fire station near Manchester.
Data and Statistics
Official Statements and Responses
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the fire’s rapid spread resulted from a combustible article placed near a controlled fire. The service later extended an invitation to Qayyum and Iqbal to visit a nearby fire station, acknowledging their actions.
Criticism and Opposition
No criticism or opposing viewpoints were reported in the available sources.
On-the-Ground Accounts
Sheila Robinson described the rescuers as “braver than brave” and said they “probably saved my home and my grandson.” She expressed gratitude, noting that the men “ran over the roof and the shed, everything was in flames” and helped her family exit safely.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I can't thank them enough, ever for what they did, absolutely brilliant. They probably saved my home and my grandson,” — Sheila Robinson, 77
- “I just did anything anyone would do to help, to be honest," said Yusuf.” — Mohammed Yusuf Iqbal, 20
- “It was a bit weird at first because we never really thought it would get this much attention and we didn't really do it for attention - we just did it because like people needed our help,” — Mohammed Yusuf Iqbal
- “It's just really weird for people to recognise me because of that.” — Mohsin Qayyum, 22
- “It is so nice to have such a positive effect - I feel it's so positive towards young Asian men who both happen to be Muslim as well,” — Saima Rafique, mother of Iqbal
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources agree on the date, location, and participants, but the precise nature of the “combustible article” and the circumstances of the controlled fire remain unspecified.
What’s Next
Qayyum and Iqbal have been invited to a fire station near Manchester and continue to receive public recognition on social media. Their experience has prompted discussion about community response and representation of young Asian Muslim men in the media.
