ROMULUS, Mich. – Everyone safely escaped from the Barrington Apartments on Sunday after a large fire started -- and that’s in part thanks to two boys who jumped in to help.
Freddie King, 10, and RJ Stockton, 11, were walking home from a nearby park when the fire broke out, about 6:30 p.m. on Wayne Road.
“When we were walking, I was thinking just to help people,” RJ said. “And we saw the smoke, then we went on the other side and saw the fire.”
Freddie and RJ rushed into the building.
“We were yelling, ‘It's a fire! Get out, get out, get out,’” RJ said.
The pair knocked on people’s doors and encouraged them to evacuate.
“I try not to be scared, but my leg was shaking and stuff,” Freddie said.
The duo said they just wanted to save people.
“So they won't fall out or be sad or die and stuff,” Freddie said.
Multiple police agencies and firefighters rushed to the complex. Local 4 received videos and photos from viewers, showing the size of the blaze. Dozens of residents are now displaced.
“The apartment was fully involved (when we arrived),” said Kevin Krause, the Deputy Fire Chief of the Romulus Fire Department. “Parts of the roof were already breaking through with heavy flames and smoke.”
As for Freddie and RJ, Freddie said he wants this to be a career someday.
“(I want to be a) policeman so I can help people and (a) firefighter so no one will be in danger,” Freddie said.
RJ would like to study law.
“I watch a lot of shows about lawyers and it's interesting,” RJ said.
Until those days arrive, the pair will be known as heroes for helping dozens of people escape Sunday’s fire, which damaged 24 units.
Fire officials said they’re working with the Red Cross to make sure the displaced residents have a place to stay. The cause of the fire remains unknown.