Photo: Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services
A 12-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero after he rescued his grandmother and two brothers from a burning home in Virginia, per PEOPLE.
On Tuesday (June 3), first responders were called to a "structure fire with visible flames and heavy smoke" in Petersburg at roughly 8:51 a.m.
Responders arrived at the scene and found all the occupants were safely out of the home. According to Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services, 12-year-old Ramir Parker "acted" at the first signs of the fire and rescued his grandmother and brother.
Parker was upstairs when he heard "a strange crackling and rattling sound, growing louder by the second." When he stepped into the hallway, Ramir spotted "thick, black smoke" coming from the basement. The 12-year-old reportedly yelled "fire" to alert his grandmother of the situation.
"Without hesitation, Ramir ran into the smoke-filled living room, scooped up both of his little brothers, and led everyone out of the house. As glass shattered and the heat intensified, this young boy kept his composure and got his family to safety, before our units arrived," the department said.
According to reports, it took first responders 20 minutes to get the fire under control as live power lines were also set ablaze in the incident. The fire reportedly stemmed from an electrical issue in the downstairs of the home and was ruled an accident.
Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services praised Parker for his "quick thinking and selfless bravery."
"In a moment where seconds mattered, he stepped up just like a firefighter would. Just like a protector does. Ramir, we see you. We salute you. You showed the heart of a fireman today and the soul of a warrior," Petersburg Fire Rescue & Emergency Services said in a statement, noting that the 12-year-old would be honored for his service at an upcoming award ceremony.
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