A Cleveland man is being praised as a hero for his courageous actions in rescuing an infant trapped inside a burning house. John Stickovich, 62, was on his way to work when he saw smoke pouring from a two-story house and immediately drew closer to assess the situation.
“The mother was sitting on the… lawn with her one baby and I asked her if she was all right and she said, ‘My baby is still in the house,’ and I was thinking to myself, ‘Oh my God, I have to save the baby.’ That’s how it was going to be,” Stickovich told Nexstar’s WJW.
Circling the house, he tried to go in through the side door, but kicking it in, he found the smoke and fire was too much. At the back of the house, another door was already open, and Stickovich crawled in to search for the baby before being driven back out empty-handed.
He asked the mother where she last saw her child, to which she replied that it was next to the baby gate. Plunging once more into the inferno, Stickovich sought in vain with time and oxygen running short. Contemplating what to do, the thought of saving himself emerged, but the hero-to-be squashed it after hearing the infant making a sound.
Leaping toward the sound, he grasped the baby’s leg and, summoning all his remaining strength, pulled the child to safety.
The fire had been so severe that two firefighters arriving after Stickovich completed the rescue mission were injured trying to control the blaze. The department said Stickovich’s actions were without doubt the reason that the baby survived.
Treated for smoke inhalation at the MetroHealth Medical Center, Stickovich was able to go home the same day, and WJW Cleveland says that it is believed the city is poised to honour the man for his bravery and deep sense of altruism.
“I feel incredible that I was able to save the baby. That mother doesn’t have to grieve for her child; that baby gets to live today,” he remarked. “Everyone is calling to commend my actions, but I would do it for anyone—it doesn’t matter. I would hope someone would do the same for me.” These were John’s heartfelt comments following his daring rescue.
Truly, when the heart of a man is filled with kindness, compassion and empathy, there’s hardly anything he won’t do to save a life.