Hero Story: Tampa Firefighter Rescues Neighbor From Fire

RUSKIN, FL - A Tampa firefighter who worked a Christmas night shift arrived home Tuesday morning to rescue his 51-year-old neighbor from a house fire in Ruskin. Tampa Fire Rescue firefighter Luigi Young ran into the burning home and carried his neighbor to safety.

The homeowner, who was not identified, suffered severe smoke inhalation and was treated on scene by rescue crews and transported by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital. The homeowner remains in intensive care Tuesday night. The home is located at 14306 King Tom Place, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue official said.

Two parrots and two large dogs were rescued from the burning home, but crews were unable to resuscitate the dogs, according to fire rescue officials. The parrots were doing well and taken to a neighbor's home for safety, authorities said.

When Young initially saw the smoke, he rushed to try and extinguish the fire with a garden hose, but heard a cough coming from inside the home. He then rushed inside and pulled his neighbor to safety, according to Hillsborough Fire Rescue.

County officials said Young was "extremely helpful in the report to the initial arriving fire crews and for his efforts in the rescue of the homeowner and pets."

County crews attempted to attack the fire but were forced out when flames broke through the roof and the building became too unstable to continue interior operations. County firefighters did not provide damage estimates to the home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Image via Hillsborough County Fire Rescue