ST LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Lucie County Fire District honored an 11-year-old girl Wednesday after she saved her family from a raging fire at their home.
Mya Vernon heard popping noises outside her bedroom window in the early morning hours of March 1, and looked outside to see her father's car on fire, the District said.
Mya alerted her sisters, then woke up her parents as flames quickly spread to the house.
By the time firefighters arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames. But because of Mya's actions, her family got out safely.
"Without her quick thinking, this could've been a much bigger tragedy than it was," said St. Lucie County Fire Chief Nate Spera on Wednesday, as he presented Mya with the Citizen Hero Award.
"We're all heroes when we get called upon, and sometimes you just don't know and you can't plan on it," said Tom Perona, St. Lucie County Fire District Commissioner. "Quick thinking, you save lives, it's something you'll get to cherish for the rest of your lives."
Mya told WPTV she hopes this inspires other children to speak up when they think something is wrong.
Standing ovation for young Mya as she receives her award from @StLucieFireDist. She told me she hopes this inspires other kids to speak up when they think something is wrong. pic.twitter.com/DFFxt3pisE
— Sabirah (@sabirahrayford) March 20, 2019