Teen Saves Toddler From Cleveland County Mobile Home Fire

On Thursday, Blair Hawkins gave a tearful thank you to the teenager that saved her toddler from a burning mobile home.

"Because of you, today my son is still alive," she said, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

She called 14-year-old Laura McDaniel a guardian angel.

Wednesday night, Hawkins left her home on Cleveland Avenue, near Grover, to take her 6-year-old to the hospital. A group of her friends, including McDaniel, stayed at her mobile home with her 1-year-old son, Aiden Moore. They rushed out when a dryer fire started, and then realized they left the little boy inside.

McDaniel's stepmother, Jamie Black, said there was smoke and flames pouring from the living room. Black said, "The trailer gone up so quick. When they said Aiden was inside, she took off, and we hollered for her and she didn't stop."

Witnesses said McDaniel ran in through the back door and grabbed Aiden from a playpen near the burning dryer.

The partially melted playpen can still be seen through a bedroom window. Hawkins said the teen risked her life for her son.

"I think she was a savior, she was my savior. Without her, I mean he might of, he might have died,” she said.

Hawkins said her young family lost everything in the fire. Aiden's father rushed back from Louisiana where he was working to send money home to his family. They have no insurance.

Hawkins said that is the least of her worries, "As long as I have my children I'll be all right. My home and all that can be replaced."

The family is getting some help from the Red Cross and even more help from the family of the girl who saved little Aiden Moore. They have allowed Hawkins and her family to stay with them while they get back on their feet.