Overbrook High School senior honored for saving nephew from burning home

WEST PHILADELPHIA (FOX 29) - An Overbrook High School senior received a big honor on Friday for saving his 23-month-old nephew from their burning home.

Brent "Rudy" Edwards was presented a Carnegie Medal amongst first responders at the Philadelphia Fire Department's Engine 54.

He was also given a number of gifts from the fire department, including official department gear.

The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.

The fund was established in 1904 by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Investigators comb through anywhere from 800 to 1,000 cases a year to select the recipients.

"Everything is going through my mind," Rudy says. "I'm just excited."

Back on May 27, 2017, Rudy's family's home on Flanders Road caught fire. He says his mom woke him up and when they all got outside, they realized his toddler nephew, Bryce, was missing.

"I didn't think or nothing, I just went back in," he says. "I called his name probably twice, but I really couldn't get it out because of the smoke was clogging up my throat, then when he coughed a little bit that's when I went towards his cough."

Rudy crawled into the home to get to Bryce, then carried him against his chest and brought him to his family. Shortly after, he collapsed.

"I still go back and think about it," he says. "Just like, say if I didn't go in there, or say if I couldn't find him."

Paramedics revived him and brought both boys to the hospital to recover.

"I'm over the top proud," says Rachel Noel, Rudy's mom.

A month after the fire, the Philadelphia Fire Department and Mayor Kenney also honored Rudy at City Hall.

Since then, Rudy says he has taken life more seriously. He started committing more time to boxing and now has aspirations to become a firefighter.

He also learned a powerful lesson.

"It taught me to always be there for your loved ones, no matter what, anything can happen," he says. "Always be brave for them."