Off-duty paramedic saw fire engulfing neighbor’s home — when he realized 7-year-old girl was trapped, his instincts sent him running in
A person's willingness to help can change the course of events in many situations. An off-duty paramedic managed to do the same for his neighbor's daughter. The seven-year-old girl, Savannah Vasquez, was stuck and had no shoes on as she tried to get out of her house during a fire. A tree near the house was burning and the car near it had caught on fire, too. The flames were really close to the house, so the family had to evacuate as soon as possible. That's when the paramedic, Richard Recinos, noticed that the girl was still inside, per CBS LA.
A tree near the facade of the house had gone up in flames when the neighbors noticed what was happening and called for the family to get out of the house. "In saving my daughter, he saved my heart," the girl's mom, Martha Vasquez, remarked. "My heart stopped when I saw that video. It was like, 'My baby!'" In the said video, flames could be seen erupting from the tree as Recinos ran out of the place carrying Savannah on his shoulders. The girl's awareness also played a huge role in the rescue. She was in her upstairs bedroom on the night of Thanksgiving when she started feeling a little hot. Soon enough, Savannah noticed that there was a fire and immediately ran to her grandma to inform her about the situation.
"She went to tell everybody to get out of the house," the girl recounted. She had also learned what to do in such situations at school. "Don't grab anything, just run out of the house." But Savannah had gotten out without any shoes on. "It felt hot. It hurt." Recinos was across the street at that time and had seen the fire. He was looking out to check if everyone had gotten out or not. "That's when I noticed a little girl and she was kinda standing only a few feet away from the fire." He added, "I had a leather jacket. I just zipped it up and adrenaline kicked in and I ran in to go get her." Recinos was glad that he could get the little girl out safely.
"I am eternally grateful to him for saving my daughter's life," Martha went on. "I have come across a lot of burn victims and thank god last night was not one of those nights," Recinos expressed. Savannah had to be taken to the ER to get the blisters on her feet treated. She was doing significantly better after spending the night there. The house was still livable and just needed some cleaning. Savannah also felt that Recinos's gesture was "nice." She expressed, "That's nice because that's what nice people do. Nice people help each other." The fire department was still investigating the cause of the incident.
People appreciated the paramedic in the comments section of the video. @leigh1072 wrote, "I believe there are more good people in the world, we just get a constant barrage of the bad. What a hero!" @Kathleen-hd4ee commented, "Well, the Fire Dept has proof of what kind of a Fireman he will make. Hire the man and get him fully trained as soon as possible. Great job, Sir!" @uhohohno4033 remarked, "I am amazed by the sheer determination some people have to save those in danger even if it risks their own lives. Very proud of this young man! I hope he achieves all he wants to in his life! Amen."