Carnegie heroes Angel Darlene Fiorini and Matthew Paul Burson were presented the Carnegie Medal by Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney on March 6, 2018, in Spokane, Wash.
Fiorini, 32, of Newman Lake, Wash., removed two of her children from their burning home and then re-entered for daughter Gianna Fiorini, 7. Fiorini crawled through thick, black smoke and blistering heat to reach her daughter.
“I had this rush of maternal strength. I would walk through fire for my children,” said Fiorini in an online article.
Fiorini and Gianna both lost consciousness while attempting to exit the home. Burson, a 45-year-old registered nurse of Spokane Valley, Wash., then arrived at the scene and pulled both outside to safety.
“You help people,” added Burson. “It could have been my family and I would want the same thing.”
Pictured, from left, are Fiorini, Gianna, Kuney, and Burson.