EVERETT, Wash. — An Everett family is feeling the warmth of the holidays after being saved from a fire by their 10-year-old son.
Their home is currently uninhabitable. You'd think that would put a damper on their Christmas, but they don't see it that way.
"I'd say it's the best ever," said dad and husband Steven Limar. "We have the gift of life, we have the gift of family, we have the gift of love."
Christmas carols fill the small hotel room where the family is temporarily living. Despite the levity, it's far from a traditional Christmas for the the Limar family.
Four kids, two adults, two beds, one hotel room and a whole lot of chaos.
It all started last Saturday, Dec. 16, when a fire broke out on the front porch of their Everett home. When smoke and flames began creeping inside, 10-year-old Remmie was the family's first responder.
"I was like, 'Mom, Dad, there's a fire coming through the door!' And they rushed down really quick," said Remmie.
Smoke started filling the home and Remmie said he knew he had to act quickly.
"It was like a giant grey ghost that was gonna get us, that was about to suffocate us," said Remmie, a fifth grader.
As his parents scrambled to collect the children, Remmie calmly led his little sister to their father who brought the kids to safety. Remmie said he learned what to do in the event of a fire by watching YouTube videos.
"In the realest moment of life, he performed like he knew it all along. So, I'm not gonna question him anymore. I'm gonna let him do my taxes," said Steven Limar with a laugh.
The family wasn't able to rescue much from the house, let alone Christmas presents, but donations via fundraiser have been coming in to make sure the kids are taken care of.
Some are calling Remmie a hero. And if that's the case, he's a humble one.
"I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, don't call me that, please," Remmie said, putting his face in his palm. "I don't want that word to be spread around."
Most would probably call this a Christmas to forget, but Steven Limar said he sees things differently. While the family is doing its best to make the most of things, the emotions are wearing on Remmie. The grateful young man said he has one Christmas wish for all of us.
Through tears he said, "I want everyone who is watching this to have a great Christmas."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The family says their smoke alarms didn't go off. Fire officials say the best gift you can give to your family this holiday is to make sure your smoke detectors are working.