Wakefield Man Helps Rescue People From 7 Alarm Boston Fire

A Wakefield, Mass., man is being called a hero for running into a burning East Boston apartment building and helping residents escape.

Twenty-three adults and seven children were displaced in the seven-alarm blaze Sunday afternoon, but things might have been worse if not for 53-year-old Paul Antonino.

He was driving by when he noticed the fire. Ignoring his 12-year-old daughter, he went inside the six-unit building and kicked open doors, helping elderly residents out.

A department spokesman says 140 firefighters responded to the blaze that caused about $2.5 million in damage.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries and a resident had an anxiety attack.

The blaze appears to have started in the third-floor apartment of the owners, who are on vacation.

Mayor Thomas Menino called Antonino a hero. Antonino says he just did what was right.