Neighborhood hero

When a fire climbed the back of a North Charleston apartment earlier this month, a teenage neighbor began fighting the flames.

Nineteen-year-old De'Angelo Gadson-Ward pulled out two couches — fuel for the fire — then took a position nearby with a garden hose.

"Some things need to be done, and this was one thing that needed to be done," Gadson-Ward said.

North Charleston firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and relieved the Fort Dorchester High School senior. "His courageous actions saved the family's home and possibly the entire apartment building," said Battalion Chief Eric Phillips.

Gadson-Ward was honored by North Charleston Fire Chief Greg Bulanow Thursday morning with a citizen's award.

The fire started at Apartment 64C at Hunter's Ridge Apartments. Authorities said a 6-year-old playing with a lighter caused the fire. Everyone got out safely.

Gadson-Ward stood on a trash can to get water on the ceiling and roof. "I stopped spraying for a second and saw the fire go 'swoosh,' " he said.

His foothold slipped and he fell in the trash can, but he kept spraying, he said.

"The responders feel like he really limited the fire and its spread," Bulanow said. "We generally recommend calling the department and getting to safety."

But Gadson-Ward was able to stay outside and not put himself in great danger, he said.

As Gadson-Ward left the station with his plaque in hand, the chief said he expected to see an application from him soon.

"I'm thinking about it, really thinking about it," Gadson-Ward said.