In a heart-stopping scene, Nick Taylor, a resident of east London, rushed into the fiery chaos of his home after hearing a desperate "pop" and witnessing a bathroom window explode.

Taylor, 40, was in his backyard on April 17 when panic set in, knowing his longtime partner, Teresa Cartwright, 39, was napping upstairs. "I could hear her screaming my name," he recalled. "It was pitch black inside, but I knew I couldn’t leave without her."

Navigating through thick smoke, Taylor managed to find Teresa as she struggled to make her way down the stairs. He heroically dragged her out to safety just as multiple explosions echoed from inside the home. But tension filled the air as Taylor faced a daunting decision: flee the scene to avoid arrest for a prior probation violation.

"I wanted to be there for her at the hospital, but I knew if I stayed, I’d end up in jail," he said, conflicted.

Tragically, after being airlifted to a hospital in Hamilton, Teresa passed away days later due to her injuries, devastating Taylor and leaving the community in shock.

Firefighters battled the aggressive blaze that caused approximately $500,000 in damage. Taylor believes the fire ignited from an e-bike battery charging in the living room, dismissing suggestions that it resulted from homeless individuals frequenting their property.

The couple, known for their kindness in allowing others in need to stay in their backyard, had become the center of neighborhood discussions regarding the state of their home.

Despite having faced struggles with addiction, friends and family reflected on the compassion that defined both Taylor and Cartwright. "If you needed something, she would do it," said a close friend, recalling Cartwright’s warm-hearted nature.

With a son left behind and emotions running high, the aftermath of this fire is a somber reminder of both heroism and heartbreak. As Taylor grapples with his grief and uncertain future, the memory of Teresa will undoubtedly linger on, cherished by those who knew her.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues, with the community mourning the loss of a beloved life. "She was a daughter, a mother, and my daughter-in-law," Taylor's mother expressed. "She left us with the most precious gift – her son."