WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A 10-year-old is a holiday hero after calling first responders when a neighboring house went up in flames Christmas night.
The Leslie family was spending Christmas night at their grandparent's house off of Brookway Dr. in Winston-Salem. Everyone had arrived and they were fixing their dinner plates when one of them noticed a neighboring house up in flames.
The Leslie family said their first instinct was to help. That's when the unexpected happened. One of the family's youngest members, 10-year-old Amir ran towards the phone.
Amir said his parents and grandparents taught him to always call 911 when something serious happens and this isn't the first time he's had to make the nerve-racking call.
"They always tell me if something serious is happening call 911," said Amir, his mother Shereka Leslie continued. "He seen a man laying out in the bushes back in Winston-Salem and called 911 in that incident. So, he knows. he's been knowing what to do for some years now."
Once the call was in, Amir's mom said the older boys ran to the house and kicked the door in. Shortly after firefighters arrived and the Leslie family watched as they fought to get it under control.
Amir's dad, Lee Leslie said this story should remind people of an important life lesson.
"Teach your kids, I don't want to say the right way, but instill in them if they can, to keep 911 and always be willing to help," he recommended.
Amir said this incident has inspired him to become a firefighter when he grows up.
For the fire, a spokesperson for the city of Winston-Salem said they're not releasing any information right now as they continue to figure out what happened.