Bus driver who rescued man from burning home now facing eviction

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A METRO bus driver hailed as a hero just three months ago says he's a walking example of the saying "no good deed goes unpunished."

In July, Paul Nelson pulled a man from a burning apartment building. Nelson was driving his regular bus route through The Heights when he saw the fire and sprung into action.

"I ran out there and just pulled the guy out," he told Eyewitness News at the time. Nelson suffered burns to his hands and neck.

Within hours, METRO officials called a news conference at its downtown Houston headquarters to recognize what Nelson had done.

Now he tells us because of his injuries, he missed out on working overtime for weeks. He is short on cash, and his wife and three children face eviction from their west Houston apartment.

"When you get behind, it's hard to catch up," Nelson said.

He got the eviction notice last weekend. He says it's been hard to swallow his pride and ask for help, but his family is counting on him.

"Good people will help. They will. I got faith," said Nelson.

He and his wife have already started packing. Half-filled boxes sit in the corner of their living room. They want to be prepared, but are still hopeful. Nelson does not regret the actions that got him to this difficult place.

"I wouldn't change a thing. If he's alive and doing well, I did good," Nelson said.

"Even if you lose your apartment?" we asked.

"It will hurt but it can be replaced. A life can't," he responded.

The family has set up a pay pal account, if you would like to help. It is in Paul's wife's name: PAYPAL account