'He's my hero': Charlotte Ranchettes man fights brush fire with garden hose amid evacuation orders

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

Flames from the Acorn Boulevard brush fire surrounded the Marquez family home in the Ranchettes, forcing the family to evacuate, but their son stayed behind to protect the house with a garden hose.

"I have a hero because he really was my hero that day," Eva Marquez said. "I was afraid for him, and I prayed, you know, that he would be okay, but, you know, he just went above and beyond."

The son was seen standing on top of the family’s garage on Alfred Boulevard, trying to keep the fire flames away with a garden hose. Marquez said leaving was not an option for her son.

"The fire chief came and they told us that we had to evacuate," Marquez said. "By that time, there was fire in the back. And there was also fire on the side of us. And so they told us we had to get out. He said, no, I'm not leaving."

The Marquez family lost a fence and a boat in the fire but expressed gratitude for the support of friends, family, and firefighters.

"I thank God that it worked out for us," Marquez said. "I thank God that we had the fire department. My son was here. He wouldn't leave because he looked at it as 'I'm going to make sure that this doesn't burn down.'"

The fire is now 75% contained, and no homes were damaged as of Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire has still not been determined. However, neighbors remain vigilant as crews continue to battle the flames.

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