WATERVLIET, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The city of Watervliet honored a young hero who helped save the lives of people living in a home that caught fire back on July 8. The blaze at a home on 4th Avenue and 15th Street left significant damage.
“Smoke in my grandfather’s room,” said Tyquan Harris. “I went to bang on the door—on every door—as hard as I can and to help everybody out as quick as I can.”
Twelve-year-old Tyquan Harris was hailed for his heroic actions on July 8, when he alerted neighbors of the fire in time to get out. Harris is said to have saved five lives from the upstairs apartment. The city acknowledged his actions with a citation.
“I knew the safest route was to take the back route because I saw the smoke,” said Harris.
And he has bright ambitions for his future.“I’d like to be a firefighter to help other people’s life be safe,” exclaimed Harris.
He even has some advice for others: “Be careful when you have your stove on you don’t leave it unattended,” Harris said. “If you have like any leaks or electrical problems, you should get those fixed immediately.”