Courtesy Photo

Ryder Zwolinski saved his father Robert from a fire caused by an explosion in his garage on Jan. 5, in Mound, Minnesota. At that time of the rescue, Ryder was 14. He turned 15 on Feb. 11. His grandparents are Richard and Kaye Zwolinski of Posen. The Mound Fire Department honored Ryder on Jan. 20 with a Citizens Lifesaving Award and Fire Department Medal for his heroic and unselfish act of bravery.

“Ryder jumped into action and busted down the locked side door of the garage to get his dad out,” Kaye Zwolinski said in an email. “Robert was already disoriented from the heat and smoke, and Ryder rescued him from the burning building, taking his dad’s burning vest off him. We are so proud of Ryder. If it wasn’t for him, the fire department said they doubted Robert would be alive today.”

Above, Ryder is pictured in the center between his dad, Robert, and stepmom Julie, surrounded by members of the Mound Fire Department.