LAUREL, DELAWARE (6/18/2016) A Laurel firefighter is being hailed as a hero after he rescued two children from a burning home.
Greg Adkins, a life member and past assistant chief of the Laurel Fire Department, lives across the street from the home at 235 W. Seventh St. where fire broke out about 7 a.m. Monday.
He went to the fire on foot and without firefighting safety gear and saw heavy flames in the rear.
A neighbor told him that two small children were still inside.
Adkins kicked in the locked front door and searched each room for occupants, according to fire department spokeswoman Rebecca West.
But he found no one and left the building.
The neighbor insisted the two children were still inside, so Adkins – still without safety gear – resumed his search, yelling “fire department” as he went room to room, with flames burning through the interior walls and contents.
This time, two little girls who had been hiding in a closet came running out, and Adkins led them to safety, West said, just as the fire flared and flames engulfed the home.
She said the whole episode only took minutes, with the first units from the volunteer fire company arriving at 7:19 a.m.
“Mr. Adkins’ determination and selflessness are the reason these two little girls are safe and alive today,” West said. Mr. Adkins single-handedly prevented a tragedy through shear bravery and a willingness to help others during severe circumstances. His actions are a testament to the courage and passion that defines Life Member Adkins. Mr. Adkins never considered his own safety; he served his community that day by putting others’ well-being before his own.”
“Mr. Adkins surely exemplifies the definition of a hero and the Laurel Fire Department is honored to be able to call him a brother in service,” West said.
Firefighters from Delmar and Sharptown, Maryland, also responded to the blaze.