Letter Carrier Gary Powell was delivering mail on a fall day in Martin, TN, when he came upon a duplex on fire.
Powell immediately called 911 and banged on the units’ front doors, then heard a customer yelling for help from a side entrance.
The Postal Service employee rushed to aid the woman, who uses a wheelchair, which had gotten stuck in the doorway.
He carried her to safety before returning to the doorway and freeing her wheelchair.
Firefighters and paramedics soon arrived on the scene.
The building was saved from destruction and the customer was treated for smoke inhalation.
“If Gary hadn’t been there at that exact time, with his quick thinking and heroic actions, it would’ve been too late,” said local Postmaster Anthony McCartney.