9-year-old woke up his family during building fire

A 9-year-old boy played a key role in alerting his family to a fire engulfing their building in Newburgh, Orange County, - ABC 7 News reports.

According to officials, the blaze erupted around 11 p.m., ravaging multiple buildings along Carter Street.

Despite the intensity of the fire, at least a dozen residents managed to evacuate safely, though many are now displaced. The young resident, who resided in one of the affected buildings, recounted how he roused his family to ensure their safety.

"I heard commotion downstairs, people shouting about a fire, so I woke up my parents. Then I woke up my sister. We hurried out because we didn't understand what was happening. All we could see was flames and police. Later, we learned the extent of the situation," shared Anthony Trujillo.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.