Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • News
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Faith
  • Opinion
  • Christmas
  • Set Free Course

‘It Was…Scary’: Heroic Good Samaritan Saw a Home in Flames, Pulled His Car Over, and Rescued the Elderly Woman Inside

Photo: Twitter/Norfolk Fire-Rescue
Share Tweet
By Billy Hallowell
Editor

December 28, 2021

A good Samaritan ran into a burning home in Norfolk, Virginia, on Christmas morning to save the life of an 80-year-old woman who was inside.

The brave rescue reportedly unfolded after the unnamed hero was driving by and noticed flames coming from the home.

Rather than continue driving toward his intended destination, the man jumped out of his car and ran toward the house, WAVY-TV reported.

Third alarm structure fire- 800 block of E 26th St. Crews battling the wind to extinguish the fire. pic.twitter.com/D5OdzSpnpn

— Norfolk Fire-Rescue (@norfolkfireresc) December 25, 2021

It was there he encountered Derrick Vaughan, a neighbor who also saw the flames, and went to help. The two men then banged on the door; when no one responded, they went inside and helped bring the elderly woman out.

Vaughan told WAVY-TV the situation was “definitely scary” and that he relied on prayer and adrenaline to push through, as there wasn’t much time to process what was unfolding in real-time.

“I … immediately start praying and just sprung into action. You know, it’s the neighbor. So we wanted to make sure that she was safe,” he said. “It was a little scary and then feeling the adrenaline pushing and pumping real quick.”

Vaughan continued, “I mean it really wasn’t no time to think. I just want to help and that’s what I did.”

Luckily, Willis was ushered to safety, and no one was injured during the ordeal.

The woman’s son, Michael Willis, said he’s grateful his mother is OK, and he’s thankful to the brave men who went inside the home to save her before the fire spun even more out of control.

No one was hurt when this Norfolk home caught fire Christmas morning.

Family says that’s thanks to two good samaritans. @norfolkfireresc was able to keep the three alarm fire from spreading to close by neighboring homes.

I’ll have the details on @WAVY_News at 6 tonight. pic.twitter.com/GDCWa7n63j

— Madison (@MadisonPearman) December 25, 2021

“I’m just grateful to the stranger that came by, a good Samaritan,” he told WTKR-TV. “This is what Christmas is all about.”

The identity of the good Samaritan is unknown to Michael Willis, though he has said he wants to thank the man.

“We don’t know who he is, but I hope he’s going to be blessed on the Christmas holiday,” he said.

Willis has, however, had the chance to speak with Vaughan to express gratitude.

The cause of the inferno is reportedly still under investigation, though there have been claims of a gas smell in days leading up to the fire. The home sustained severe damages.

***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

Latest

  • News

    ‘Miracle’ Landing: Florida Pilot Passes Out — Passenger with No Flight Experience Takes Over with ‘Hand of God’

  • Entertainment

    Marvel’s ‘Scarlet Witch’ Actress Reveals Her Real-Life Connections to Witchcraft, Says She’s ‘Witchy’

  • News

    ‘A Psychological Prison’: Taliban’s Latest Demand Leaves Women in Tears as Afghanistan Reels in Poverty, Desperation

  • News

    New Warner/Discovery President ‘Un-Cancels’ JK Rowling After She Was Sidelined for Defending Women Amid Transgender Craze

  • Life

    ‘A God Thing’: They Adopted a Severely Handicapped Baby Despite Doctors’ Warnings, and It Changed Everything


Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?