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Apr 29, 2023

Verizon technicians credited for saving Newport News family from fire

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A family and their pet were unaware that their house in

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A family and their pet were unaware that their house in Newport News was on fire until two Verizon technicians alerted them to the danger last March.

The steps Chris Leonard and Nick Christian took to save the family from the growing fire are why they are this week's News 3 Everyday Heroes.

Chris Leonard said he had just completed an assignment and was about to pull out of his customer's driveway on Hurley Avenue when he noticed, across the street, some smoke was billowing from a porch.

He jumped into action and called another Verizon technician, Nick Christian who happened to be nearby.

Realizing they had little time, Chris and Nick attempted to put out the fire by spraying the area with a garden hose.

Nick turned his attention to the front door and started banging on it to get the family out of harm's way. He helped the family out of the house and called 911.

He said before he could hang up, he could hear the sirens approaching.

According to the fire marshal, if Chris and Nick had not acted as quickly as they did, the entire house would have been engulfed in flames.

For that reason, News 3 and our community partners at Southern Bank salute Chris Leonard and Nick Christian as News 3's Everyday Heroes.

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