DeKalb County honors brave firefighters
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Sixty firefighters were honored Tuesday morning for their heroic efforts to save nearly a dozen men, women, and children trapped inside a burning apartment building earlier this month.
The rescues took place on January 3 at the Avondale Forest Apartments in DeKalb County. More than 100 people were inside their units as a massive fire broke out and ripped through the complex. Nearly a dozen of those residents were trapped by the flames.
DeKalb County's fire chief said it was a frantic and terrifying ordeal for the residents that quickly evolved into a coordinated rescue with fire personnel scrambling up and down ladders to get residents out of the flames. Several parents were even forced to make a split decision to toss their young children in order to save them.
RELATED: Massive fire rips through DeKalb County apartment complex
Tuesday, all of the firefighters who helped save lives and battle the massive flames were honored by county commissioners. The fire chief, the DeKalb County CEO, county commissioners and residents on hand for the ceremony all gave the firefighters a standing ovation.
The men and women spoke and said it was humbling to have everyone who played a roll in the rescues honored Tuesday, and even commended the parents who worked so hard to save their own children.