Midway Fire Rescue honors heroic efforts of 10-year-old during blaze at family’s home

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A 10-year-old Georgetown County boy is being called a hero for quick thinking that likely saved his family from dying in a Christmas house fire.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Cooper is the reason they were all able to get out safely,” Midway Fire Marshal Bill Collins said. “It’s a straight-up miracle.”

Cooper Caraballo, his 7-year-old brother Decker and parents Chris and Haley were all asleep in their Hawthorne Drive home when a fire broke out. Cooper woke up first and tried to wake Decker. When he couldn’t, he ran downstairs to warn his parents.

As a result, the Caraballos were all able to get out safely and regroup outside.

In recognition of his actions, Midway Fire Rescue officials visited the family home on Tuesday to make Cooper an honorary member of the department, presenting him with a service helmet and shield along with a framed patch and coin.

They also provided the family with new smoke detectors for the home, which was only recently able to be lived in again.

The fire was contained to Cooper’s room, but there was heavy heat and smoke damage throughout the second floor. Only some of the home’s detectors were wired at the time.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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