Boy was upstairs at home when he heard 'weird crackling and rattling noise' — his quick response saved his family
In a story of swift and life-saving action, a 12-year-old boy named Ramir Parker is being hailed as a hero for saving his entire family, per WRIC. The preteen heard unusual noises coming from the hallway and quickly went to investigate. His cautious observation and thoughtful action for his grandmother and siblings helped him save all of their lives in the nick of time. A post shared by Petersburg Fire Rescue detailed what unfolded in Parker’s home and how he jumped into action with courage. It all began when he heard rattling sounds while he was talking with his grandmother. He was immediately alert and continued to pay careful attention.
With each second, the noise was getting louder. Initially, he thought it was his 1 and 2-year-old siblings who had woken up and were making noises. However, when he went to the hallway, he noticed “thick, black smoke rising from the basement. That’s when instinct took over,” the post mentioned. “My mother-in-law told me that he smelled fire," Parker's mom added, per WTVR CBS 6. Parker did everything right and brilliantly. His first step was to alert his grandma, who was still upstairs. "Fire," he yelled as loud as he could. Next, he did not spare a second before rushing into the smoke-filled room and locating his baby siblings.
According to Rainbow Restoration, there are fires reported in home structures every 88 seconds. It sums up to around 350,000 fires per year in the U.S. It may happen due to cooking, heating, electrical malfunctions and other unintentional reasons. In Parker’s case, the damage was spreading fast and the 12-year-old had only moments to act before things became terrifying. He quickly grabbed both his siblings and got his grandmother and left the house just in time. “As glass shattered and the heat intensified, this young boy kept his composure and got his family to safety before our units arrived,” the post added.
The department is immensely proud of Parker for the action he exercised. Right from being observant, investigating, alerting his grandma and bringing his siblings to safety, the boy left no stone unturned to protect his family. “Ramir saved lives today. His quick thinking and selfless bravery are nothing short of heroic. In a moment where seconds mattered, he stepped up, just like a firefighter would. Just like a protector does,” the department wrote. There has also been a plea to award him for his courageous act in a ceremony. “Ramir, we see you. We salute you. You showed the heart of a fireman today and the soul of a warrior,” the post read.
A few glimpses were shared of the house severely damaged and in flames while the firefighters got to work. People commended the boy for his way of thinking and action. Wanda Howard said, “Appreciate the bravery! What a wonderful young man.” Alf Buckner wrote, “Thank God for his quick actions. He saved his family. May his bravery and the accolades he receives propel him throughout his life.” Edward Sharett remarked, “A very brave young man.” Gayle Baldwin Ray added, “What a smart young man!”