Detroit teen helps his family escape their burning home
Posted:
Updated:
By Maurielle Lue Fox 2 News Reporter
DETROIT (WJBK) -- 15-year-old De'Monta Palmer is a hero. He rescued his family from a devastating fire that took their home early Thursday morning.
"I saw... flames (outside) my window, and I immediately rushed out of my bed and I went to my mother's room and I kind of panicked. I yelled, 'Wake up, wake up!" he explained.
Palmer said the house was engulfed in flames. His parents and older brother were still asleep. He knew what he had to do.
"I wasn't scared because I knew I had to do my job to get my family out of there and I was quite confident about doing it."
Seconds after Palmer and his family were safe, the stairwell collapsed. Had he waited any longer, the family would've been forced to jump from the second story balcony.
"I've been here for 20 years and it's just all memories gone," said Yavonne Flounory, De'Monta's mother.
Smoking rubble is all that is left of their family memories. They escaped with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Palmer will be staying with friends until his family gets back on their feet. The rest of the family will receive food and shelter from the Red Cross for the next three days.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:12:58 GMT
There was a last ditch effort Wednesday to save Oakman Elementary and Orthopedic School, a Detroit public school that services a high number of disabled and special needs children.
There was a last ditch effort Wednesday to save Oakman Elementary and Orthopedic School, a Detroit public school that services a high number of disabled and special needs children.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:12 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:12:48 GMT
Makayla Lance is only 17 years old and facing death. Tuesday she was shot in the face allegedly by her 18-year-old boyfriend. When police responded to the scene, he was trying to save her life.
Makayla Lance is only 17 years old and facing death. Tuesday she was shot in the face allegedly by her 18-year-old boyfriend. When police responded to the scene, he was trying to save her life.
Thursday, May 9 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-09 20:54:33 GMT
We've all had one of those days. You have a million things on your mind and are moving way too fast. In Southfield, one woman's absent minded moment put her in a tight spot.
We've all had one of those days. You have a million things on your mind and are moving way too fast. In Southfield, one woman's absent minded moment put her in a tight spot.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:38:56 GMT
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:14:08 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:30 GMT
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
An expansive plan to merge two southeastern Michigan health systems into a single, $6.4 billion nonprofit organization with 10 hospitals has fizzled out.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
