Kate Winslet "Will Never Forget" Escaping & Rescuing Richard Branson's Mother From Fire

Oscar-winning actress talks rescuing her kids and Sir Richard Branson's 90-year-old mother from Caribbean home fire

By Sierra Marquina Aug 27, 2011 9:23 PMTags
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Not so fast Mr. Pitt, there's another hero in town!

Award-winning actress Kate Winslet has spoken for the first time since Sir Richard Branson's Caribbean home went up in flames earlier this week. 

Kate was vacationing at the Virgin tycoon's house on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands with her two children Mia, 10, and Joe, 7, along with BF Louis Dowler. The whole crew escaped the inferno unscathed thanks to the aid of Winslet.

She not only saved the lives of her family—but Branson's 90-year-old mother as well!  

But what did the A-lister have to say about the great escape, beyond it being an experience she "will never forget"?

Kate was among 20 unlucky VIP guests visiting at the time lightning from Hurricane Irene struck the opulent mansion.

"I'm just so glad that everyone is safe," said Winslet. "And this very easily could not have been the case. I will never forget Richard placing his arms around both my children as we were watching the flames, and saying, 'At the end of the day, what you realize is that all that matters is the people that you love. Everything else is just stuff. And none of that stuff matters'." 

Speaking of stuff, will there be another Necker Island compound for Branson? Heck yeah! 

Sir Richard says that he's determined to rebuild the house as soon as possible. Must be nice to have that spare cash!