Homeless man saves paralyzed pal in fire

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Jan. 21, 2004

POMPANO BEACH HOME BLAZE
Homeless man saves paralyzed pal in fire
A disabled man who provided for his homeless friend gets the favor repaid after his friend rescues him from a burning house.
BY JESSE ABRAMS-MORLEY
[e-mail]



'MY HERO': Eddie Garcia, paralyzed from an accident several years ago, sits with his friend Jose Balina after Balina rescued him Tuesday morning. R.C. WHITE/FOR THE HERALD


Eddie Garcia, a paralyzed man who provided shelter to a homeless friend, is now homeless -- and grateful to be alive.

Garcia had his life saved by his homeless friend, Jose Balina, who rescued Garcia from his flaming Pompano Beach home Tuesday morning.

''He's my hero, man,'' said Garcia of Balina outside his burned shell of a home on Northeast First Avenue.

``He saved me from the fire. If it wasn't for him, I don't know ...''

A year ago, when Balina had nowhere to go, Garcia pulled his friend through tough times by giving him a place to sleep.

On Tuesday it was Balina who pulled for Garcia -- pulling his disabled friend out of his burning bedroom and into safety.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/7757134.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry to D.U. for posting this completely non-political story. Maybe you'll make an exception for this one?

Remember, we've not heard a lot of good material from Miami since the Miami-Dade vote-non-recount in the Presidential Election which Bush stole in 2000.

[Rainbowreflect]

1. What a great story. Thanks for sharing.

A wonderful example of good instant karma.

[loftycity]

2. Really Good Story

Wish we could see more stories like this.