GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – After a fire started in the Caraballo family home last Christmas, a 10-year-old’s heroic actions saved the family from tragedy.

Cooper Caraballo was the first in his house to wake up to the fire and quickly sprung into action to alert his family. When he wasn’t able to wake his brother he ran to wake his parents and everyone was able to get out and meet at their designated safe place outside.

On Wednesday, the Midway Fire-Rescue team honored Cooper and his courageous actions by naming him a firefighter with the department. He was presented with a service helmet, shield, and a framed department patch and coin. His younger brother, Decker, also received a framed patch and coin.

The fire was contained to Cooper’s room and there was heavy heat and smoke damage throughout the second floor. Midway Fire-Rescue said the smoke alarms in the home “were wired, thus the downstairs alarms may not have gone off when the smoke detector in Cooper’s room sounded.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Cooper is the reason they were all able to get out safely,” said Bill Collins, Midway Fire Marshal. “It’s a straight-up miracle and proof that miracles still do happen.”

MFR also gave the family new 10-year wired smoke detectors in the home, which the family was only recently able to move back into.

Cooper and Decker also had the chance to learn more about smoke detectors and other fire safety topics during the visit from MFR. They also assisted in installing two smoke alarms in the laundry room and garage.

MFR also gifted the Caraballos a fire blanket for the kitchen.

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