Cleveland passerby saves infant from burning home on way to work
A Cleveland man on his way to work last month became an instant hero when he saved an infant from a burning home.
John Stickovich, 62, was driving by the house when he spotted the flames and a female resident crying outside. According to News 5 in Cleveland, the woman had been able to escape the fire.
The woman, identified as Samantha James, was only able to grab one of her 11-month-old twins, baby girls named Lotus and Opal, the news station said.
When James told Stickovich that Opal remained inside, he didn’t think twice. Stickovich told News 5 he went in the first time and did not find the baby.
He ran outside and asked for additional details from James, who said the baby was near a baby gate.
“So I ran back in and hit the floor, crawled in, and I felt the baby gate on the floor, but the smoke was so bad,” Stickovich said. “I was getting ready to leave, and then I heard a baby cry right in front of me so I just jumped forward and I grabbed a hold of an arm, grabbed the baby by the arm and just brought her out with me.”
Stickovich, James and the girls were taken to a hospital for evaluation. James and Lotus suffered from smoke inhalation, while Opal suffered smoke inhalation and some burns on her head and cheek, the news station reported.
Three firefighters suffered injuries while extinguishing the blaze, including one trapped briefly under the collapsed roof, but all were recovering well.
James, her husband and the girls reunited with Stickovich a few days later to thank him for saving Opal’s life.
“I’m so grateful for John — he’s our guardian angel for sure — and for the firefighters,” James said.
Stickovich said he’s glad James and her children are safe.
“There’s no child that should die in a fire, ever,” he said.