Nineteen- and twenty-year-olds Gavin Klahn, Ayden Schroud, Reese Romens, Rhylan Nehls, and another friend had spent the day on the water. That night, they were hanging out in a garage across the street on Rodney Drive when they noticed a bright orange glow in the distance.

 

Nineteen- and twenty-year-olds Gavin Klahn, Ayden Schroud, Reese Romens, Rhylan Nehls, and another friend had spent the day on the water. That night, they were hanging out in a garage across the street on Rodney Drive when they noticed a bright orange glow in the distance.

At first, they thought someone was enjoying a bonfire. But within seconds, they realized something was terribly wrong. A nearby house was on fire.

Without wasting a moment, the friends rushed across the street. Thick smoke was already pouring from the home. Knowing people could still be inside, they forced their way in through both the front and back doors. They split up and shouted through the smoke, hoping someone would answer.

Soon, they heard voices.

The young men quickly found the people trapped inside and helped them escape. They carried an elderly couple and other family members safely out of the burning house before firefighters arrived.

According to a fundraising page, the homeowner, Jim, had been celebrating his 91st birthday with his family when the fire suddenly broke out. Thanks to the quick actions of the five friends, everyone made it out safely without injuries.

Firefighters later arrived and put out the blaze, but many people believed the outcome could have been very different if the young men had not acted so quickly.

A fire chief with 45 years of experience said he had never seen anything quite like it. Their courage and fast thinking turned an ordinary holiday into a story their community will never forget.