On Thursday evening, Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora) presented Charlie Sergel with an Assembly proclamation for his selfless act of bravery when he charged into a burning building and saved a young girl’s life.

Sergel was on his way home when he noticed smoke coming from a local shop. After initially continuing home, Sergel felt compelled to turn around and at the scene he was met by a distressed teenager who informed him her younger sister was still inside. Sergel rushed inside and found the younger sister, Anna, sitting in a sink full of water. Sergel told DiPietro’s office he comes from a Christian family and that God, “put [me] in the right place at the right time. I was totally protected and only suffered some smoke inhalation and escaped without a single burn or singed hair. It was totally God who gets credit for this miracle.”

“I am honored to present this proclamation to Charlie Sergel, whose extraordinary bravery and selflessness saved a young girl’s life. We are proud to recognize him,” said DiPietro.