OAKLAND, Fla. - Officials in central Florida are honoring two boys who called 911 to report a fire and then pulled two smaller children from a burning home in June.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Fire Chief Otto Drozd III thanked 10-year-old Isiah Francis and 11-year-old Jeremiah Grimes during a ceremony Tuesday. They each received a Mayor's Hero Award, an Honorary Firefighter plaque and a scholarship to attend the Central Florida Fire Academy when they turn 18. Community partners including SeaWorld also provided gifts for the boys.
Authorities say Luis Cruz started the fire at the Oakland mobile home June 16. Francis and Grimes managed to get two small children out of the home, two more were found inside after firefighters arrived. One of those children later died, and Cruz has been charged with first-degree murder.
