An entire family was trapped inside a burning Clayton County home in Georgia, and Brandon Gamble, the husband and father of five, pushed his family out of a window so they could escape harm.
Neighbors Jacob Stewart and John Tumlin witnessed the tragic event and shared with Atlanta Black Star:
“I opened my window, I saw that window right there in flames (pointing to the shattered glass window). By the time me and Stick got out here, the whole side of the house was on fire and fire coming out of the front door,” Steward told 11 Alive. “We see that woman out here screaming. I see a kid over talking about, help. We go over there, there’s like two of them out and then he’s shoving them out the window.”
Tumlin said he saw the father inside, even as the fire continued. “The little boy who was in the kitchen, he had a little cut, and that’s the one that said, ‘Hey, hey John, my daddy’s over there. You got to save him or he’s going to die!'”
Gamble's wife, Tyeisha Gamble, said her husband loved their children, ages six to 14, and would do anything for them.
Deputy Fire Chief Matt Jackson told WXIA that it took 20 firefighters to extinguish the fire, which started in the living room that was not equipped with a working fire alarm.
It is difficult to imagine the pain that comes with such a tragedy, but this man's will and determination to protect his family can be celebrated and appreciated. “He died saving his children. He’s the real hero,” Stewart said.