When a girl fell into a well 10 years ago, a slim firefighter didn't hesitate and went down through the 30-inch hole to get her.
Carroll County Firefighter Clay Kierbow became a national hero as video of her cradling Megan Winters went viral.
Kierbow said then, and now to a reporter: he's no hero. "That was the job, what I signed up to do, risk my life for others."
To the Winters, he will always be their hero. That's why they say it's their turn to help him.
In 2022, the now retired firefighter was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. And, two days before Christmas his house burned down.
Melissa Winters, Megan's mother, was already thinking of ways to help after his cancer diagnosis when she found out about the devastating fire.
"It just really gets you emotional because someone was so there for your family and so willing to help you and rescue your daughter. You've just got to do something for them as well."
Mellissa says they hope he will fight back just as Megan did so many years ago.
"The fact that he was so willing to go in without hesitation, with no concern or himself or his feelings. To just go down quickly and get her and make sure she came back to us safely, that just means everything.".
An online fundraiser has been established to get the Kierbow family back on their feet.
He deeply appreciates the outpouring of support he's received from the Winters family.
