DETROIT --
It was a heroic rescue on Detroit's west side Monday morning when two men ran back into a burning home to save their family and neighbors.
The fire broke out at about 6 a.m. on Vancouver Street.
Firefighters on the scene said a space heater exploded and caused the fire after the family had gone to bed.
Fred Godboldo said he woke up to the flames and smoke and ran out of the house. His cousin, Anthony Rodgers, also woke to the blaze and jumped out his bedroom window to escape.
"Oh, I went out head first," Rodgers said.
Once outside and safe, Godboldo and Rodgers said they realized their family was still inside and needed help. That's when both men ran back into the house.
"I basically kicked the door out of the way, about 25 pounds," said Rodgers.
Rodgers ran and woke his sister, her boyfriend and their three young children.
"I just grabbed the baby, wrapped her up in a cover and just ran down," he said.
The fire spread to an adjacent home, and it only took moments before Godboldo said he knew he needed to help his neighbors. He was able to safely evacuate them as well.
"This is about the love we have for the kids and the neighbors and stuff. It's not just about being a hero, or heroic," Godboldo said.
"He came up here and did what he had to do for his family, and I really appreciate that," said Laretta Adams, who was rescued from the fire by Godboldo and Rodgers.
Fourteen people total were evacuated from the burning building.
"I don't see myself as a hero. I was just doing what was supposed to have been done," Godboldo said. "It was the right thing to do."
The fire destroyed all of the family's belongings, including their Christmas presents.
The American Red Cross is putting the family up in a local hotel for the next couple of nights. Contact the Red Cross Web site if you would like to help the family.
