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Off-Duty Firefighter Saves Child From Burning Home In Peabody

PEABODY (CBS) – An off-duty firefighter saved a child from a burning home in Peabody Monday night.

Melrose Firefighter Rob McVoy was heading home on Route 1 when he spotted the fire.

"I was just in the right place at the right time," McVoy said. "There was heavy smoke coming from a second floor window."

McVoy quickly called 911 but knew he had to do more.

Peabody fire
A boy was rescued from this house in Peabody (WBZ-TV)

"I knew what was happening and at that point time was of the essence," he said.

With local firefighters still minutes away, he made a U-turn and headed toward the burning home. He banged on the door and eventually pushed it open.

"I opened the door and there was a boy in there and I told him to get out, and I heard the dog barking and I told him to grab the dog as well," McVoy said.

McVoy even helped the firefighters dig out a hydrant, but doesn't think his actions are special.

"You know you just do your job," he said.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

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