North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey has honored eight Lenoir County firefighters who helped rescue victims from an April mobile home fire.

Sandy Bottom Fire Chief Daniel Chewning, Deputy Chief Scott Hardison, Assistant Chief Timothy Mooring Jr., Capt. Kyle Owens and firefighters Chris Locke and Landon Stroud were awarded SAVE Awards, along with Southwood Capt. Tyler Foyles and Deep Run firefighter Blake Ellis. SAVE Awards go to first responders who go above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the public.

In the early morning hours of Friday, April 30, the Sandy Bottom, Southwood and Deep Run volunteer fire departments responded to a mobile home fire on Albritton’s Road in Kinston. Upon arrival, the firefighters learned that there were five occupants trapped in the mobile home.

Firefighters entered the mobile home through a window. Some of the firefighters worked to help the victims escape while others fought the blaze to keep the fire from spreading. Unfortunately, one of the victims succumbed to injuries from the fire.