A homeless man is being hailed a hero for saving a Houston family from their burning home, KHOU-TV reports.
Thomas Smith, who was invited to stay at the house, thought that someone was breaking in when he heard a loud noise at 1:30 a.m. Friday.
He discovered that the house was on fire and went into his longtime friend’s bedroom. A slab of Sheetrock from the ceiling had fallen on top of her. Smith removed the debris and got her out safely.
He then woke up her granddaughters, ages 8 and 10, and guided them out of the smoke-filled house. Everyone evacuated without injuries.
According to the report, the woman offered Smith shelter in her home as a favor—without expecting anything in return. She’s now calling Smith her hero.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a hero,” said Smith, humbly declining the title. “I would say thank God for helping us all.”
Firefighters said that something in the attic smashed through the ceiling and ignited a flame. A full investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.
Read more at KHOU-TV.