An act of extraordinary courage turned what could have been a tragic Thanksgiving into a miracle for one family when off-duty paramedic Richard Recinos saw flames engulf a home in East Hollywood late on Thanksgiving night. Without hesitation, Recinos rushed into the blaze to save a 7-year-old girl.
According to KTLA, Recinos was driving home from his family’s Thanksgiving dinner when he spotted a bright glow lighting up the sky near the 4700 block of West Oakwood Avenue in East Hollywood. Flames had already engulfed trees near a duplex, and a young girl — later identified as Savannah Vasquez — stood on the porch, dangerously close to the fire.
A “quick grab and go”
Realizing time was critical, Recinos stopped his car, zipped up his leather jacket, and dashed toward the burning house. He scooped up Vasquez and carried her to safety just moments before fire crews from the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived.
“Considering the circumstances, I saw my opportunity for a quick grab and go, quick exit, and everything went well,” Recinos later told reporters.
“I had a leather jacket. I zipped it up, adrenaline kicked in, and I ran in to go get her,” Recinos added, according to CBS News.
“Saving my daughter is saving my heart”
Vasquez later said she felt the heat emanating from the trees on fire outside her bedroom window. She warned her grandma, who then told the others, and without a second thought, Vasquez fled to the porch, where Recinos spotted her. Of Recinos, Vasquez’s mother, Matha Vasquez said, “Saving my daughter is saving my heart.”
Firefighters arrived shortly afterward and evacuated the rest of the family. They contained the blaze, which had spread from two large trees outside the home. Officials say the fire caused mostly exterior damage; the duplex remained habitable, though the family’s car was destroyed.
As for Vasques, doctors treated her at a local hospital for minor burns to her feet, then released her after observation. No other serious injuries were reported.
Recinos, a veteran paramedic, credited his training, but described the rescue as “pure instinct.” He said he would make the same decision again in a “heartbeat.” Recinos added that one day he hopes to become a firefighter.
Many in his community have since praised him as a hero. The dramatic rescue was captured on video and quickly went viral, prompting a wave of gratitude from neighbors, first responders, and social-media users who hailed his willingness to rush toward danger while others fled.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the family is recovering, and a 7-year-old girl remains alive today because one off-duty paramedic chose action over his own safety.
Published: Dec 1, 2025 05:11 pm