Teen Who Saved Waterbury Family Celebrated On National Show

WATERBURY, CT — A teen who saved three children and their mother from a burning car has been honored by the Waterbury Police Department and received attention from multiple national media outlets, according to The Stamford Advocate.

Justin Gavin, 18, is originally from Brooklyn and has been featured on the Drew Barrymore Show. Barrymore surprised him with a call from the mayor of Waterbury along with season passes for the Brooklyn Nets, and a video call from his NBA idol, Carmelo Anthony, who called Gavin a "true hero," according to The Advocate.

Last month, Gavin saw a car burning on West Main Street that rolled to a stop on Sperry Street. He approached the car while flames sprang from it to open the door and help the mother escape, FOX 61 reported.

He then saw that three children — the youngest of whom was one year old — were also stuck in the car. He braved the flames to remove all three children as well.

Waterbury police on Facebook: "Chief Fernando Spagnolo thanks Justin Gavin (age 18) for helping to save a mother and her three children from a burning car. Great job Justin!"