Over the weekend, 25-year-old Albert Madrid perished in a fire after rushing into a burning mobile home to help rescue two young girls.
Madrid’s father says when Madrid and his girlfriend were pulling into the trailer park they saw a trailer on fire in Highland, California.
“He was only 25 years old but he was the bravest man I have ever known,” Robert Madrid said, reported KTLA 5. “Without even thinking about it he jumped off his car and ran into the burning trailer to help two little girls who [were] still inside. He helped the little girls get out but he wasn’t able to escape the burning trailer himself.”
After the flames were extinguished, Madrid’s body was found in the debris, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
“He will be loved and missed by his friends and family,” Robert Madrid added. “I am so proud of my son, my hero.”
Madrid’s mother Irene Sainteclaire called her son a hero.
“He saved the little girls, the 4 year old, the 7 year-old, the teenager and the grandpa,” Sainteclaire said. “He got them out. They were all asleep.”
“He was a hero,” Sainteclaire added. “That family came up to me and hugged me and told me, ‘We want to thank you, because your son saved the little kids and my dad.'”
In a statement on Facebook, CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit said four residents were evacuated with mild to moderate burns.
“A bystander who was providing rescue efforts prior to the first arriving fire engine perished in the fire,” the statement continued. “The cause of the fire is currently under investigation with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Arson & Bomb and CAL FIRE investigators.”
ABC 7 reports a memorial has been made at the home where Madrid died saving others.
A Go Fund Me was created in the memory of Albert and has so far raised close to $5,000.
“Albert lost his life saving a friends family, he saved four peoples lives, he ran into the burning trailer without hesitation to save their lives, and lost the battle,” Sainteclaire, the creator of the Go Fund Me wrote. “Albert was very bold and courageous, he had a huge heart, & was a great friend to many people. Albert has earned his wings and is flying high, Rest In Peace, you are deeply loved.”
Sainteclaire urged her Twitter followers to contribute to the Go Fund Me campaign.