Titanic actress carried Richard Branson's mother to safety after the tycoon's luxury home burns down
Titanic actress carried Richard Branson's mother to safety after the tycoon's luxury home burns down
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A fast-moving inferno engulfed the luxurious Caribbean compound owned by billionaire Richard Branson early yesterday morning, but tragedy was averted when houseguest Kate Winslet raced through the burning manse to rescue the flamboyant tycoon's 90-year-old mother.
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| Sir Richard says Kate Winslet picked up his mother and helped other guests to evacuate his palatial house on Necker Island after the fire broke out. Firefighters continue to put out the fire. Branson added that he would rebuild the house. Pics/ Virgin |
"She [Winslet] was staying there with her children, and, in fact, it was she who carried my mother out of the house," said Branson.
"She swept her up into her arms and got them out of the house as fast as possible." Branson's mother Eve, was not injured.
Severe wind and lightning from Hurricane Irene ravaged Necker, Branson's private isle in the British Virgins Islands, sparking the blaze in the eight-bedroom Great House, where the Oscar-winning actress and her brood, Branson's family, and about a dozen other friends were vacationing.
"My son Sam rushed to the house and helped get everyone out. Kate Winslet, her boyfriend and family were there, and Holly (Branson's daughter) and some of her friends were also staying," said Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group empire who was in another building on the island at the time.
Once everyone was safe, Winslet (35) quipped, "It's like being in a film set where you're waiting for the words 'cut' but they just don't come," according to Branson.
Branson's Balinese-style getaway, located on a parcel of the island called Devil's Hill, was a total loss. Branson posted pictures and video of the burning compound to his blog.
"The main house is completely destroyed, and the fire is not yet completely out. My office was based in the house, and I have lost thousands of photographs, which is very sad," Branson said.
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"We want to rebuild the house as soon as we can. We have a wonderful staff here, and we want them to stay in work," he added.
Lightning was the likely culprit, but the blaze remains under investigation, Virgin Group said.
Courting stars and Royalty
Necker Island is a second home for the British tycoon and his family and anyone else wanting to stay for a mere ufffd1,115 (Rs 84,000) a night.
Over the years it has attracted an A-list crowd, including Princess Diana, who used to holiday with her young sons William and Harry.
Other famous figures who have stayed at the resort include Janet Jackson, Harrison Ford, Mariah Carey, Eddie Murphy and Oprah Winfrey.
It was also the site of Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo's wedding.
Each of the bedrooms in the villas has its own balcony, four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom. All have open walls giving a 360-degree view and cooling winds. The island also has its own submarine.
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