Elijah Woodberry, 12 years old, was playing video games while his grandmother, Cynthia Sanchez, was taking a nap when the unthinkable happened.
It was a quiet afternoon, and Cynthia was taking her usual nap. Her grandson, Elijah, was playing video games when suddenly, the power went out. The young man was instantly alerted by the loss of electricity in the house and was surprised to find out that part of their home was in flames.
“The breaker just, boom, it was out,” he told KSAT 12. “So, I was looking around and I see orange from the door. I went out and I saw flames by the AC and I was freaked out by that and I started screaming, ‘Grandma! Grandma! We got to get out! We got to go!’”
Elijah did not waste any moment. He went and woke up his grandma and led her and their pet dog out of their burning home.
Cynthia Sanchez recalled how she came to know about the dire situation they were in.
“I was taking a nap when all of a sudden Elijah came to tell me we didn’t have power,” she said. “The next moment he was screaming for me to get up and get out. We heard an explosion and I grabbed my daughter’s ashes, and he grabbed the dog and we ran.”
The 12-year-old did not know that on that unforgettable afternoon, he would be hailed as a hero.
He definitely was brave and quick in deciding on what to do. His smart and swift decision helped him save his life, his grandma, and their pet dog.
On the other hand, Cynthia could not believe their home of 17 years was already gone.
“It is devastating,” Cynthia said. “You never know until you go through it. I am just grateful and thankful. This is material stuff. I am glad that we got out with our lives.”
It was the only home her grandson has ever known and now, it has turned into ashes. But still, the woman and her grandson are hopeful and keep a positive attitude towards all these.
“We can rebuild,” Cynthia shared with KSAT 12. “This home is special to us because my daughter lived here with me before she passed and it is where Elijah grew up. He has all of his friends here and he loves the school so we are staying. We are OK and strong in our faith. We will be fine. We have been through a lot.”
More than three years ago, the family also suffered a devastating loss. Elijah’s mom, Jennifer Flores, passed away from cancer.
Elijah and his grandma strongly believe that Jennifer was the one who guided them during the fire. She was like their guardian angel.
“She just kept pushing me,” the young man said. “I wanted to be my grandmother’s hero and she gave me that moment.”
Cynthia thanks God for keeping them safe despite the incident. Another thing they were thankful for are the kind neighbors who have helped them get through after the fire. Elijah is also very thankful for all the help and love they have been receiving from everyone.
“Thank you all the neighbors and if you are a neighbor of someone who might be going through this, just help out and get something done,” Elijah said. “You could be like a hero like me you know. Just stay out there and help out.”
His grandma reminds everyone that all you have to do is trust in the Lord.
“Truly trust in the Lord,” Sanchez said. “Just don’t give up and know that he is with you all the time. Like Elijah said, when we speak about my daughter, I get deep chills. But I know she was with us. If it wasn’t for Elijah we’d be gone. I just thank God.”
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