Seven-year-old Eli is too young to become a firefighter. However, he may have found his calling after heroically saving his baby sister from their burning home.

The fire began on Dec. 8 after an uneventful night at the Davidson home in New Tazewell, Tennessee. Nicole and Chris Davidson tucked their children into bed after dinner, and by 8:30 p.m., they were fast asleep.

Several hours later, Nicole Davidson says she awoke to the smell of smoke. Soon, flames engulfed the home, leaving 22-month-old Erin Davidson trapped in her bedroom.

She and her husband grabbed their foster child, Eli, as well as their 2-year-old son Elijah. Unfortunately, Erin’s bedroom was surrounded by flames, rendering the entrance inaccessible.

“The smoke and fire was [sic] so thick there was no way I could get to her,” Chris Davidson told CNN. “We went outside to get to her from the window, but there was nothing for me to stand on to reach up there. So I picked up Eli, who went through the window and was able to grab her from her crib.”

What Eli lacks in size, he made up for in braveness, with the act of heroism leaving the Davidson’s in awe. 

“We couldn’t be more proud of Eli,” Davidson said. “He did something a grown man wouldn’t do.”

The home was fully engulfed in flames by the time a crew of 20 firefighters arrived on the scene. According to New Tazewell Fire Chief Josh Miracle, there was “nothing left” of the home by the following day.

Eli says admits he was unsure about whether he could complete the rescue, but knew he must try to save his sister from the flames.

“I thought I couldn’t do it, but then I said, ‘I got her, dad,'” Eli told CNN. “I was scared, but I didn’t want my sister to die.”

The Davidson’s, who are ironically both former firefighters, have fostered 34 children — including Eli. The couple has formally adopted the other two children who were home at the time of the fire.

A GoFundMe has been started on the family’s behalf, with the fire topping off a year full of loss. Not only did the Davidson’s lose their home, but the family has also faced job loss as a result of the pandemic.

“We lost everything that we have ever had,” Chris Davidson said. “Our entire lives were in that home. Our three cars were also damaged in the fire.”

According to the GoFundMe page, over $360,000 has been raised to help the family, shattering the original fundraising goal of $5,000. Hopefully, this will help them get back on their feet.

What do you think of the Davidson’s decision to send Eli in after his sister? Are you impressed by his courage? Let us know your take!