‘I don’t look at it as I’m a hero’: Teen scales tall wall to put out fire in neighbor’s home
A North Carolina teenager, Nathan Byrd, is sharing his story after rescuing his neighbors from a grease fire that erupted at their residence. The Angier and Black River Fire Department confirmed to People that the fire started at a house on Hidden Glen Court in Harnett County on the evening of April 6, after someone put food into hot grease.
As a result, grease flowed onto the counter, and the house started to fill with smoke, quickly escalating the situation.
Upon being alerted by his younger brother to the fire at his neighbor’s house, 18-year-old Byrd immediately took action, according to WRAL-TV.
“My mom called my name, I grabbed the fire extinguisher and just did it,” the teen told the outlet.
According to WRAL-TV, Byrd reported that upon his arrival, the home contained two individuals and a dog.
A security camera belonging to the teen’s father, Billy Byrd, recorded the event. The video showed Byrd scaling a tall white fence to reach his neighbors while the fire was ablaze.
Bystanders watched as the teenager entered the house through a sliding door behind it.
Byrd later recalled to WRAL-TV that his mindset at the time was, “Go forward with a clear mindset, get it done, get out and then think about it later.”
According to WRAL-TV, Byrd’s quick action prevented the fire from spreading, and thankfully, no one sustained injuries.
According to Fire Chief Brent Mendenhall, fire crews arrived after the blaze had been extinguished. He also noted that smoke caused the majority of the damage from the fire.
Despite being hailed as a hero by some, Byrd shared with WRAL-TV that he views the situation from a different perspective.
“I don’t look at it as [I’m] a hero, I just look at it as I’m a neighbor,” he recounted.
READ ALSO: 5-year-old hero receives praise after saving house full of people from fire
Recently, a five-year-old was also hailed as a hero for helping save six people from a burning home in Longview, Texas. The fire broke out in the early hours of April 3, around 6:20 a.m. Investigators said six people were inside the house at the time, asleep, when the flames began.
A loud popping sound abruptly woke up 5-year-old Jayden, who officials credit as the first person to realize the danger.
Jayden, still in his blanket, immediately alerted his family to what he had witnessed. His aunt, Lula Craven, later confirmed that his timely warning was essential, allowing everyone to evacuate safely.
READ ALSO: Hero bus driver praised for saving man from burning car during training session
