One Philadelphia teen proved it takes more than a little house fire to stop him from doing the right thing. David Gullette, 18, was honored by the Philadelphia Fire Department and F.C. Wesley Methodist Church for the brave act of saving his young neighbors from a fire, according to Philly’s Fox 29.

Fox 29 reported on February 24 that David was recognized after running into a burning building in West Philadelphia and coming back out with the four- and five-year-old who lived there.

“I just get them outside and make sure they’re cool away from the house,” David told Fox 29 of the moment of the rescue. But he didn’t stop after that rescue; he went on to make sure his other neighbors were safe, too: “I knock on the neighbor’s house, get them out because the fire can travel fast.”

According to the United States Fire Administration, between 3,000 and 4,000 people died in fires across the country each year from 2007 to 2016. As explained by the Cleveland Clinic, flames aren't the only deadly force in a blaze — smoke inhalation, which is the more likely cause of home-fire-related death, can be especially dangerous in homes, where synthetic materials (such as rubber and plastic) produce toxic clouds when they burn. Firefighters say smoke inhalation can kill in a matter of minutes or a few hours. If you’re trying to escape a fire, stay low to avoid the smoke.

Philly’s firefighters are glad David was willing to face down the smoke and fire in his rescue operation. Deputy Chief Charles Johnson made clear that David saved two lives that day and added that he admires David’s commitment to fire safety.

“I grew up in that West Philadelphia area,” Johnson said, according to Fox 29. “The fact that he actually wants to help Philadelphia Fire spread the message about making sure you have working smoke alarms in your house on every level and knowing what to do when they’re activated — it makes me feel so proud.”

“I wasn’t really expecting any of this to happen,” David said at the ceremony celebrating his bravery. “I’m really honored. I really appreciate this.” Fox 29 reported that David still sees the boys he saved around his neighborhood and that he indicated some interest in the idea of joining the fire department.

Teen Vogue has reached out to David through Facebook to see if we can learn more about his heroic deed.

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