Henry Ford hailed as hero in blaze

San Clemente, CA. -- A 59 year old surf legend ran into a burning building and woke up a mother, giving her time to get herself and her baby to safety, Thursday afternoon in San Clemente
About 4 p.m. Monday local surf legend Henry Ford was driving west on Avenida Palizada when he noticed flames shooting out of the roof which was fully engulfed in flames.
Before Henry could even come to a complete stop, he was out the door and rushing to help.
"I thougth quickly and acted even more quickly", Thanks to the quick response of the fire dept. and Henry's selfless actions two children were saved from certain disaster.. "And as i was running into the building I called emergency.’ So I was dialing 911 and running into the house at the same time," Henry said.

Luckily, the front door was open as Henry ran inside and alerted a woman who had just put her daughter down for a nap. Otherwise the young mother may have found out about the fire too late.
After Henry got the woman outside, he kept her cool and asked the woman an important question.
"’Lady is there anyone else in the house?’ And she finally looked at Henry and said, ‘My Children"’ And I thought, ‘Oh my god, there's children in there,’" Henry said.
The mother ran upstairs and got her baby out safely.
Henrys friends aren't hesitating to call him a hero. But Henry was quoted as saying he was only following his instincts.
"I don't think it was that big of a deal that I did that. I mean, I think most people would've done it if they saw a house on fire," Henry said.
Henry relocated to the area about twenty years ago and has been an assett tothe community and is an hailed as a surfing icon from the south bay area. he was recently inducted into the surfing hall of fame. through his generous efforts and selfless act two children have Henry to thank for their lives.