Feel-Good Friday: 5-Year-Old Who Saved His Neighbors in a House Fire Earns Worthy Hero's Reward

This week's Feel-Good Friday is about good neighbors... and finding heroes in the most unlikely of places. During Halloween week in Mechanicville, New York, a quick thinking, 5-year-old boy saved a family from almost certain death:

Friday night began as a typical one for Zach Bashford and his family. Zach was up late playing video games, eventually falling asleep on the couch. Before suddenly, his son Bennett woke him up, and the night became one like no other. 

Zach Bradford related their story to Albany's CBS affiliate, WRGB: 

I wake up to him going, "Daddy, daddy, oh no...it’s a fire. Daddy wake up we got to help the people...the house is on fire."

Bennett, a 5 year old recently diagnosed with autism, sprung his father into action. Zach called the police and began banging on his neighbors door.

Bradford said he went into panic mode as the entire front porch became engulfed in flames. Miraculously, because of his sounding the alarm, his neighbors—the Gleeson family and their pets—were able to exit the building safely: 

"For Bennett to be so smart at his age and wake up his dad, that's amazing," said Dana Gleeson.

As WRGB reported, things could not have worked out better. Neither the neighbors nor their furry family members were injured by the blaze.

The Hemstreet Park Fire Chief, George Conover, weighed in on the Bradford's bravery and quick thinking, and praising dad Zach as a hero too:

"The boy and the father are a hero in my view. If it wasn’t for them, these people may have not made it out of the building.”

He added that there was another reason the neighboring family was lucky to survive—and it serves as a helpful reminder to all of us:

Conover says the fire department wasn't sure if the smoke alarms went off or not and emphasizes to make sure that all check monthly smoke and C O alarms.

Fast forward by two weeks. Little Bennett Bradford has now been given a hero's reward by Fire Chief Conover: his own toy fire truck and a hat.

Bennett looks like he is having a good time, and what a well-deserved gift. Imagine what this event will do to shape this young boy's view of himself and his place in the world. Zach Bradford obviously modeled these traits to his son, by his response to his son's call for action, and led by example in charging into the fray to help save his neighbors. While the Gleeson family will have to rebuild their home, they are alive today thanks to their good neighbors.

Anyone who would like to show support can visit the GoFundMe page that has been organized for the Gleeson family to get back on their feet and rebuild their home. Prayers are welcomed too.