By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-16 07:16:34 | Updated at 2024-11-16 09:42:29
2 hours ago
A heroic firefighter saved the life of a toddler from a massive blaze at an apartment in Texas in the middle of the night.
Firefighters from the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department and the North Hood Volunteer Fire Department in North Texas were called to the fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.
When they arrived on scene they found the toddler's mother, Phylicia Keen, beside herself.
The devastated mom was grappling with reality, having only been able to rescue her four-year-old son, unable to reach her younger boy who was still trapped inside.
The volunteer firefighters put their own lives on the line as one of them waded into the burning building after hearing the desperate cries of the trapped toddler - those of little two-year-old Liam who was stuck in a bedroom on the second floor.
As thick, suffocating smoke poured from the windows, firefighters didn't hesitate.
Blinded by the smoke, firefighters had to rely on Liam's cries to help guide them to where he was lying.
With an axe in hand, North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Jonathan Head shattered a second-story window and entered into the darkness of the home.
North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Jonathan Head used an axe to break a window and climb inside a burning apartment building
North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department Lt. Jonathan Head, seen right, carried the toddler down the ladder. He was assisted by from the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department
Blinded by thick smoke, one firefighter relied on Liam's cries to help guide them to where he was lying. He can be seen being carried down the ladder following the rescue
'I was just going by his voice,' Lt. Head explained. 'Whenever I broke into the window and I climbed in, there was a lot of questions, but you couldn't see anything.'
Blind and disoriented, Head followed Liam’s cries as he navigated through the deadly haze.
'Every time he cried, that's where I went. I brushed up against him and he let out a scream,' he explained, recounting his efforts.
'So I knew I was on him. I picked him up out of pure excitement—that he was actually moving around... obviously crying is a good sign.'
Head said that despite the danger of the situation he actually felt a degree of comfort at hearing Liam's cries with each one confirming he was still alive.
Liam's mother, Phylicia told of the agonizing decision she faced as she was forced to leave one of her children behind in the burning building.
'Unfortunately, I was only able to grab the closest one to me to get out, by the time I came back to get the baby [Liam] the whole living room hallway was engulfed in black smoke,' she told CBS News.
She feared Liam was dead but when firefighters said her son could be heard screaming, a wave of relief washed over her.
Li am was rushed to Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth where after he was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning
Liam's mother, Phylicia also told of the agonizing decision she faced as she was forced to leave one of her children behind in the burning building.
Liam has managed to make a full recovery over the last week. His mother Phylicia can be seen, right, while his brother waits attentively, left
'Them telling me that he was crying was probably the best moment of my life,' Phylicia said.
Firefighters Lt. Head emerged, carrying Liam in his arms as he made it back down the ladder.
'They are amazing heroes,' Phylicia said. 'Angels don't get recognized enough. They hit the ground running and they didn't stop.'
Liam was rushed to Cooks Children's Hospital in Fort Worth where after he was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning where he has managed to make a full recovery over the last week.
The family have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for medical expenses and their search for a new home.
Reflecting on the rescue, Grandbury Fire Capt. Bradley Snyder called it a rare and miraculous victory, admitting the odds were stacked against them.
The fire appeared to start close to the balcony area of the apartment building
'I’ve been doing this for 22 years, and this is literally the first time I saw it go the right way,' Snyder explained.
'What goes through our head—as firefighters is it's gonna be the same outcome that we see 80 percent of the time. But not this time.
'Just a few moments later, they manage to pull Liam through the window alive.'
