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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.

"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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