DATE: Saturday, November 8, 1997            TAG: 9711080314

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY CINDY CLAYTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   68 lines

``HE'S THE ANGEL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD'' RETIRED FIRE CAPTAIN HONORED FOR SAVING NORFOLK BOY'S LIFE.

It was shortly before midnight on Monday when Charlie Britt saw a house across the street ablaze, the garage consumed by flames that were racing toward the roof.

His instincts spurred him to action. Without a thought, the 73-year-old retired fire captain ran into the thick black smoke inside 2540 Woolsey St.

He called out to Justin Dutton, who was lying on a bed in the back of the house: ``Justin, where are you?'' From the darkness, a little voice answered: ``Here.''

Barely able to see or breathe, Britt scooped up the 5-year-old and carried him to safety. ``I don't know how I (went in), I don't know how I came out,'' Britt said.

On Friday, Norfolk fire officials presented Britt with a ``Class Act'' award for his heroism during the blaze. He was nominated by the Norfolk Fire Department for the award, which is given by city officials to individuals who distinguish themselves by helping others.

With gray clouds overhead, Britt stood on his front lawn as Fire Chief Donald Haupt Jr. praised and thanked him.

Haupt then read a letter from City Manager James B. Oliver Jr. ``I can only describe your actions as `heroic' and commend you for your outstanding performance,'' the letter said.

``We really appreciate it,'' Haupt said. ``You did an outstanding job.''

But Britt brushed off the accolades. The boy ``saved his own life by answering me,'' he said.

Since the tragedy, Britt has helped collect donations for survivors of the fire: Robert Dutton; his brother, Rollie, and Rollie's wife, Linda; and two sons, Justin and Micah.

Robert's wife, Melissa Dutton, and his two children, 3-year-old Samantha and 19-month-old Andrew, died in the fire.

For several nights after the fire, Rollie Dutton and his family stayed with Britt. ``I love them all,'' Britt said as tears welled up in his eyes.

Surrounded by media, Britt used the opportunity to request more help for the survivors of the blaze. Britt asked for kitchen utensils, pots and pans.

Neighbors said it didn't take a daring rescue to make Britt a hero in the neighborhood.

``When everybody's needed him, he's always been there,'' said Sarah Galano, who has lived on Woolsey Street for 10 years. ``Everybody says he's the angel of the neighborhood.''

In fact, there is always room for one more neighbor or child on Britt's front porch, in his house and in his heart.

Since Britt moved to Woolsey Street in 1955, he has rocked many of those children and their parents in his front porch swing. He takes them in when they need help, looks after children when parents have a doctor's appointment. He doles out fatherly advice and support.

A kindly, soft-spoken man, Britt reared three children of his own in the neighborhood and now has eight grandchildren.

``He's always been a very caring person as a fire officer,'' said Battalion Chief Marcia Hawkins, who worked with Britt.

Britt was a firefighter for more than 37 years and retired from the department in 1987.

On Friday, fire officials said they feel like he never left.

``It's almost like Charlie is still working for us,'' Haupt said of Britt's heroic actions. ``It makes us proud that it was one of our own.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

IAN MARTIN/The Virginian-Pilot

Charlie Britt on Friday was hailed by Norfolk officials for rescuing

Justin Dutton, 5, from a burning house across the street from

Britt's home.

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