Jillian Haggerty
•9/1/2026
CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—Two Cape Coral siblings are being recognized for their quick thinking and courage after helping pull two people from a burning car.
Back in May, Valentina Aura and her brother, Blake, ran toward a crash on Cape Coral Parkway to help. The Cape Coral Fire Department has now honored them with an award of exemplary action.
Blake Aura said he didn't have much time to think that day. He just knew he had to help, not pull out his phone to record, but step up and do his part to try and save someone's life.
Blake said he and another good Samaritan ran to the vehicle and pulled the driver out. But then the car started filling with smoke.
Blake said they knew they had to get the second person out too.
"There was just yelling, screaming, blood everywhere, all over his legs. He was shredded, but he had that minivan with like so many airbags, you could barely see them, and the smoke wasn't too bad then," Blake said.
Blake said his sister helped him get the second person to safety, and they stayed with both victims until first responders arrived. Both people were taken to the hospital as trauma alerts.
The Auras said they've since learned the two people survived, something they said has given them peace after such a chaotic scene.
"I'm glad that I didn't have to see someone die. Like that would have been horrible," Blake said.
The Cape Coral Fire Department later recognized the siblings for their actions.
"I don't like to flaunt it or anything, but it was very nice what they did. Framed it wasn't like just here's a piece of paper and an email. It was they really did a good job," Blake said.
Blake said his family now keeps fire extinguishers in their vehicles in case of an emergency to remind people in the community to stay prepared.
