By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Scott Godfry

GREEN TWP. - A newspaper carrier delivered Saturday morning's paper just in time to save three lives.

Scott Godfry was working his Cincinnati Enquirer route early Saturday morning when he smelled smoke. Within minutes, he was in front of a burning car parked at 2140 Faywood Ave.

Godfry, a 35-year-old Delhi Township man, said the car windows blew out and fire jumped to the carport, then lapped into the home. He ran to the front door as he dialed 911 on his cell phone.

Moments later the house was full of flames.

""I was pounding on the door and ringing the doorbell continuously,'' he said. "It seemed like it took forever for someone to answer."

A woman answered the door and ran out when she saw the fire, Godfry said.

"She looked really surprised," Godfry said. "She ran out of the house and forgot about everyone else, until I asked her if there was anyone left inside."

Her husband and daughter escaped. No one was hurt.

Authorities declined to release their names Saturday.

But they called Godfry a hero.

"It's my understanding that (Godfry) is the person who woke up the family, so it's entirely possible that he saved their lives," said Fire Capt. Doug Witsken.

Fire Chief Robert Weitzel said the fire apparently started in a garbage can between two cars and spread.

Officials suspect arson and investigators with the fire department and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are investigating, Witsken said. A damage estimate had not been determined Saturday evening.

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com