Man Honored After He Catches Toddler Thrown From Building On Fire

Jul 28, 2020 by apost team

Phillip Blanks, from Michigan, was going about his day, visiting his friend in Phoenix, Arizona, when something very unexpected happened. He caught a toddler who was thrown from a burning building and saved his life. Blanks has now been commended for his heroic act.

Blanks heard a commotion outside and decided to check out what was happening. When he got outside he saw the third floor of an apartment building was on fire.

The 28-year-old didn't think twice about helping. The skills he'd learned as a Marine Corp, and his younger college days playing football were put to good use in that moment– something he definitely wasn't expecting to happen!

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As Blanks stood beneath the building a mother came out with her toddler in her arms. She tossed him to safety and Blanks watched as the boy fell and caught him in his arms. He then ran away from the building as fast as he could.

When Blanks was asked about that moment he said he was totally focused on him and the baby.

“Ultimately, this is my job. It was all fast, it was a blur. It was tunnel vision as I was running. I didn’t see anything but the baby. He was twirling in the air like a propeller. His head landed perfectly in my elbow,” Blanks recalls.

Blanks says he didn't really have any time to think about what to do as his actions were a natural reaction to what was happening. “I was just reacting. I just did it. I’ve always had a protector mindset growing up, which just enhanced when I was in the military,” he said in his interview.

The boy's eight-year-old sister was also saved from the building by another real-life superhero. Although she and her three-year-old brother both suffered burns and shock, the Phoenix Firefighter team has said they should make a full recovery.

Blanks has been very modest and doesn't believe he is a hero at all. He says the true hero in this story is the loving mother who threw her son to safety. Tragically the mother did not survive the fire, but her ultimate sacrifice led to saving the lives of her two children.

The City of Kalamazoo has honored Blanks by setting up an education scholarship in his name. The scholarship will be available to graduating seniors from Kalamazoo Central, Loy Norrix and Phoenix high schools, reports Michigan Live.

What do you think of this man's heroic efforts? What's the bravest thing you've ever witnessed? Let us know in the comments below and share this incredible event with anyone who wants to see a real-life hero in action.