Strangers stepped in to rescue an 11-year-old boy trapped after a home caught fire Friday night, according to fire officials in Renton, Washington.
Crews arrived around 7:15 p.m. to find flames and smoke seeping from the roof of a home on the 12600 block of Southeast 170th Street.
Harper Kristiansen, 13, and his 11-year-old brother knew something was wrong Friday when they noticed strange noises and smells.
The 11-year-old boy went upstairs to investigate when, "He started screaming, 'Fire, fire fire! There's a fire!'" Harper said. "So I went upstairs and I saw the fire, and started to panic."
The two became separated in the confusion. Harper managed to escape the flames and began screaming for help, but strangers, believed to be neighbors, were already there.
They went in through a front window and helped Harper's brother escape.
"Thank you everyone for just helping us," Harper said. "Hopefully, we can get the house rebuilt."
The Red Cross is helping the family.
The family is still searching for the neighbors to thank them. Renton firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire.
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