Teen saves elderly resident from Alaska Street house fire

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - A 17-year-old Savannah High School student is a hero after he saved his next-door neighbor's life when a window-mounted air conditioner caught fire.

Taequan Mitchell went inside and rescued Stephen Solomon, who was sleeping inside. Portions of a wall and bedroom were burned, but no one was injured.

Savannah Fire Chief Charles Middleton recognized Mitchell on Tuesday afternoon for his bravery and quick response to get a neighbor out of a burning home.

"He overcame something that he was afraid of for the greater good," Chief Middleton said.

Mitchell's mom spotted the smoke and sent him to check on Solomon and his home.

Mitchell said he's known the 85-year-old since he was 9 or 10 and sometimes helps him around the house.

"I kind of panicked a little bit. I kind of like thought, 'Oh I need to help him,'" Mitchell said.

Inside, Solomon had no idea what was going on.

"I was asleep," Solomon said.

Mitchell said he knocked first, but when no one answered, he knew he had to go in.

"Told him to come on and he had come, but he said he had to get his shoes. I said 'uh-uh it's a fire,'" Mitchell said.

"He kicked his foot and bam! He kicked the door in and grabbed me by my hand and pulled me on outside. I didn't know what had happened, you know," Solomon said.

What he does know, he's grateful Mitchell was in the right place at the right time.

"Lord I am so...that man up there, he said it ain't time for me to go yet. He sent that man over here," Solomon said.

"I think it was a blessing that my mama was standing, sitting right here. It could have been worse, and he was asleep, so it could've been much worse. He probably could've lost his life in the fire. but I thank God that I was there," Mitchell said.

While he's still adjusting to the title of hero, he'd definitely not arguing that he is one.

"Oh no, I think I'm a hero! I saved the man's life," he said.

Solomon says he's live in this home for more than 40 years, and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened.

The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance.

Copyright 2018 WTOC. All rights reserved.