URGENT UPDATE: A heroic rescue unfolded just before midnight on Thanksgiving weekend when an off-duty paramedic and a neighbor saved a young girl from a devastating fire in Larchmont, Los Angeles. Dramatic footage captured the moment on the Citizen App, showcasing the bravery of those involved as burning embers rained down around them.
The fire erupted near a two-story duplex on November 23, 2023, when flames ignited trees close to the residence. Neighbor Ari Vokydis reported hearing what sounded like a snowstorm, only to discover it was ash falling from the sky. “I told my wife to call 911. I woke up the kids. I came down here and banged on the door to wake my neighbors up,” he recounted.
Inside the home, 7-year-old Savannah Vasquez was awake, waiting for her mother. As she encountered the blaze, Savannah initially thought it was a figment of her imagination until the heat became evident. Remembering her school’s fire safety lessons, she quickly alerted her grandmother and followed the advice to evacuate immediately. “I told my grandma that there was fire, and she went to go alert everybody at the house,” Savannah recalled.
Just moments later, firefighters, including Richard—an off-duty paramedic who noticed the fire from his own home—arrived on the scene. “That guy just came out of nowhere, and then I was there, and then he helped me get out of the fire,” Savannah expressed, highlighting Richard’s crucial role in her escape. Video footage shows the dramatic moment Richard sprinted with Savannah in his arms as ash and embers fell around them.
Firefighters responded swiftly to the blaze on West Oakwood Avenue, managing to extinguish the flames quickly. By daylight, the devastation was apparent; the family’s vehicle was destroyed, yet the property remains intact, allowing them to continue living in their home.
Despite suffering minor burns and blisters on her feet from the hot debris, Savannah remains remarkably grateful. “It’s really kind, because that’s what kind people do,” she said, emphasizing the importance of community and courage in crisis. Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire, which remains unclear.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the potential dangers of fire and the critical importance of knowing how to respond in emergencies. The family is thankful to be alive and safe, with Savannah’s quick thinking and the assistance from Richard embodying the spirit of heroism that can emerge in the face of danger.
Stay tuned for updates as authorities continue to investigate this alarming incident.