UPS driver jumps in to help a woman with a baby trying to break into a burning home — then freezes at what he finds inside
In the moments of chaos, it’s often ordinary people who make the biggest difference. In Santa Ana, that’s exactly what happened when a UPS driver, who was out for deliveries like any other day, rescued an elderly woman, Ann Edwards, trapped inside her smoke-filled home. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, a fire broke out in her kitchen, which led to thick smoke pouring out of her condo, as reported by KTLA 5 News. Seeing the smoke, neighbors ran to help her, and just when two women were struggling to get the 101-year-old woman out, with one of them holding a baby, the UPS driver walked up and immediately offered help.
The driver, Willy Esquivel, just happened to be "in the right place at the right time." “One of them was holding a baby in her arms, so she was there trying to get her out. So I asked if they needed help, and they said if I could lend them a hand. So I walked over, they asked if I could just pick her up instead, which I did,” Esquivel said. It was only after lifting her out that the gravity of the situation became clear. He shared, “The girl was like 'Her apartment's on fire,' and so I looked up, and then you can see the smoke coming out of the vent.”
One of the neighbors used a fire extinguisher to help stop the blaze. Another neighbor held a garden hose, climbed up a ladder, and sprayed water into the kitchen vent. While others worked to extinguish the fire, Esquivel carried the woman to a neighboring condo. “She asked me to lay her down on the couch, and she brought a pillow over from her bedroom, and then I helped her kind of adjust her and make her feel a little more comfortable,” Esquivel explained. Edwards appeared confused and was struggling to communicate. “She seemed very disoriented by the time I got there, and she just kept trying to talk, but she couldn't really get words out, and so I told her it was okay.”
Despite the growing danger, Esquivel continued to help. “Just do what you think is right. You know, at the end of the day, you know, she's someone's mother, someone's grandmother, someone's great-grandmother,” the driver shared. He was praised by his coworkers for heroically saving the woman. He added, “I'm just glad I was able to lend a hand when that time was needed.”
According to New Santa Ana, the cause of the fire is under investigation. Edwards has been admitted to the hospital and is expected to recover fully. Her son thanked the driver and said, “God bless you, man, for sticking with her and getting her out of it.” Viewers praised the UPS driver for his bravery. “No, Willy, you sir are a true Hero! Thank you for your service!” mentioned @felipemedina3822. @ColinP4624 expressed, “Well done.” “Great story to tell his family and friends for years to come. Such a good-hearted man,” remarked @mrs.b324.