A UPS Driver Rescues a 101 Year Old Woman From a House Fire
A 101-year-old California woman is safe after being rescued from a house fire thanks to the quick actions of neighbors and a UPS driver who happened to be nearby.
Fire Breaks Out in Santa Ana
The incident happened on Jan. 15 in Santa Ana, California. According to the Orange County Fire Authority, neighbors noticed smoke coming from a home and immediately rushed to help the elderly resident, later identified as Ann Edwards.
Neighbors knocked on the door and tried to guide Edwards out of the house, but when she hesitated, they turned to a UPS driver who was making deliveries nearby for assistance.
UPS Driver Steps In to Help
The UPS driver, Willy Esquivel, picked Edwards up and carried her out of the burning home to safety. Fire officials credited his actions, along with the neighbors’ response, for saving her life.
While the rescue was underway, some neighbors used fire extinguishers to slow the flames in the kitchen. Another neighbor, a roofer by trade, climbed onto the roof using a ladder and sprayed water into a kitchen vent with a garden hose to help control the fire.
Firefighters Contain the Blaze
Firefighters arrived shortly after emergency calls were placed and extinguished the remaining flames, which had spread into the attic. Edwards was transported to a local hospital for evaluation following the incident.
Fire officials described the outcome as the result of quick thinking, teamwork and people looking out for one another during an emergency.
Driver Downplays Hero Status
Esquivel later said he doesn’t see himself as a hero and only acted because it felt like the right thing to do. He explained that the woman was someone’s mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and he hoped anyone would step in under similar circumstances.
He added that he was simply in the right place at the right time and was grateful he could help when it mattered.
Family Expresses Gratitude
Edwards’ son, Rick Edwards, shared his appreciation for Esquivel’s actions, thanking him for staying with his mother and helping her escape the dangerous situation. He said the family is deeply grateful for the care and compassion shown during the rescue.
