Kate Winslet hailed a hero in Richard Branson's Necker Island fire

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Richard Branson has revealed that actress Kate Winslet helped carry his 90-year-old mother, Eve, to safety when a fire broke out at his luxury holiday home on Necker Island.

A-list actress Kate Winslet and her children had a lucky escape after a blazing fire ripped through the Great House on Sir Richard Branson's private Caribbean hideaway.

Branson's 29-year-old daughter Holly also escaped the flames that roared through the main house on his private paradise.

It is thought the fire was started after Hurricane Irene hit the island.

Sir Richard, who was staying in another house about 100 yards away with his wife Joan, and 25-year-old son, Sam, said: 'Around 20 people were in the house and they all managed to get out and they are all fine.

'We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90mph. A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house.

'My son Sam rushed to the house and helped get everyone out. Kate Winslet, her boyfriend and her family were there and Holly and some of her friends were also staying. My mother was there and they managed to get her out and she is fine.

'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.'

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A Virgin spokesman said that Branson and guests were all being accommodated elsewhere on the island.

Branson said that renovation on the house would start as soon as possible, telling the Daily Mail: 'It's very much the Dunkirk spirit here. 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.

'We'll all stay here for the time being. There's a lot damage and we won't be able to stick it back together again right away. It was a beautiful house.'

Branson bought Necker Island in the early 80s at just 28 in a bid to impress wife-to-be Joan.

Sir Richard and his family still use the private hideaway as a holiday getaway to this day, and it can also be hired - for a mere $53,000 a day!

The island can host 28 people and the eye-watering price includes two private beaches, private pools, tennis courts, a personal chef, and a team of about 60 staff to cater to your every whim.

See ten of the world'smost romantic islands below:


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