Action News talks with Fresno man who carried father from inferno
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Frightening moments were caught on camera as a Fresno home burned to the ground Saturday morning. But it's the heroic rescue of an elderly man that's capturing the attention of people nationwide, by this man who went unrecognized until now.
"It's just an instinct, you know? It's just an instinct, you see someone and you just help out people, you know?" said hero Tom Artiaga.
Artiaga was driving on his way to work by this harrowing scene when he pulled over because his instinct tells him to help people, even if that means facing danger.
"I was scared, you know? I'm sure anybody would be scared, but it's a life, hey try to help him," said hero Tom Artiaga.
He was the last of several people who went into the flames to save 73-year-old Robert Wells.
"They didn't even think about their safety, and that's what makes it heroic," said Fresno Fire Department firefighter Koby Johns.
Artiaga's son says his father doesn't consider himself a hero.
"He didn't say a word about it to me or my mom," said Thomas Artiaga, the hero's son.
The man he saved lost everything in the fire, except for his life.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I made it out," said Wells.
It's a note of gratitude well-received by a humble man.
"It is a big deal but you got to help out people. It's what God put us here for," said Wells.
Artiaga says he was just in the right place at the right time.
If you would like to help Wells and his family, you can make a donation at any Wells Fargo branch. The account number is 5272650853.
