LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — The Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District is honoring a 14-year-old after he put out a fire at a family’s home and potentially saved lives.

On the night of the Fourth of July, Hunter Mills was heading to a fireworks stand when he saw a fire burning next to someone’s home. Large boxes of fireworks reignited in a recycling bin next to the home.

Mills didn’t think twice and sprung into action.

He crossed a canal in waist-deep water to get to the fire.

When he got there he banged on the door to alert the family and put the fire out with a garden hose, before the fire department even arrived.

Mills burned his leg but said it was worth it.

“If I wasn’t there they probably would’ve end up dying,” said Mills.

Now the Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District is recognizing him as their first ‘Community Youth Hero’.

The fire department met Mills to give him a tour and present him with the award on Wednesday.

“We represent Hunter with this community youth hero certificate, we want to thank him for doing the right thing. Congratulations you were fantastic,” Chief Robert DiLallo said.

“He did what he thought was best and by doing that he saved the house and potentially even lives if the fire would’ve gotten bigger and the people inside didn’t know about it. We think he was very courageous and he did a great job,” said DiLallo.