THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Reacting to a neighbor in crisis didn’t take much thought for Jerry Carter.

Carter entered a burning house at 2810 Annie Cooper St. late Thursday night to help his neighbors escape unharmed. He said he didn’t want any recognition.

Carter said he just happened to be standing on the corner of Dunklin Street and Annie Cooper, and was about to go inside his apartment when he saw a neighbor, Charlene Smith, and two children standing in the street. She was screaming for help.

Home owner, David Johnson, and two more children were still inside.

The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, but no matter what the cause Carter said he knew he had to act quickly.

He was right.

Selma firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but not before the front half of their home for the past 18 years was totally destroyed.

Carter was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, but he said he was fine.