BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (WTXL) — An 18-year-old is being called a hero by Bainbridge authorities after rescuing three people from a burning apartment building.
According to Bainbridge Public Safety, officers responded a structure fire at 1205 Water Street on Tuesday around 11 a.m.
When Bainbridge Public Safety arrived on scene, they saw smoke billowing from the building
Witnesses told officers that they noticed smoke coming from the residential building across the street.
BPS says that's when Tanisha Rivers yelled for her 18-year-old son, Chianti Bryant, to run over and check on the occupants who they thought might be inside and unaware of the immediate danger.
As Bryant approached the burning building, he found the front door to be locked so he banged and kicked the door as hard and as loud as he could.
Moments later, he caught a glimpse of a man through the front window.
Officers say the man unlocked the door and Bryant was able to help him get out of the smoke-filled apartment.
He then re-entered the building in an attempt to locate additional occupants.
Bryant found a 16-year-old girl trapped in a back bedroom, as well as an 18-year-old boy still inside.
Authorities say they had been asleep and were disoriented by the smoke when they were awakened by Bryant.
Fortunately, Bryant was able to assist both teens in getting out of the burning structure and to safety.
Moments after successfully rescuing all three people, and just as first responders were arriving at the scene, Bryant collapsed on the grass just outside of the building.
He was immediately assisted by EMS and transported to Memorial Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and later released.
At the scene, Bainbridge Public Safety Deputy Director, Frank Green spoke with Bryant’s mother and told her, “Your son is a hero…he saved lives today!"
