Quick Actions of Fruit Vendor Save Man From Fire

Officials said the quick actions of a fruit vendor in downtown Loganville likely saved the life of a Loganville man Saturday when the home he was asleep in caught fire.

According to Capt. Rick Morris of the t, Phillip Starnes, who has a fruit stand on Main Street, realized something was wrong and altered authorities. He went to the house next door to the Lucy Street home that was on fire, which is the home of Alan Herndon's mother. She reportedly told Starnes she believed her son was still in the house.

"(Starnes) went back in when he heard the dog barking and on his way out he noticed a closed door. When he checked it, he found Alan Herndon still asleep in the bed. He was able to wake him and get him out." 

The Loganville Fire Department and  responded to the fire. Officials said firefighters aggressively fought the blaze and were able to quickly gain the upper hand. Main Street was closed for a time in order to pull water from the hydrant across the street at the Rock Gym.

Morris said thanks to the quick thinking of Starnes, no injuries were reported.

"We're lucky (Starnes) found him or we'd have lost Alan," Morris said.

Officials are not sure what started the fire, which is still under investigation.