'Super-Hero Dad' feels blessed to find family safe after rushing to house fire, flipping car
OXON HILL, Md. - 'A super-hero dad' is how Corbin Pettigrew described her father Thursday, a day after he sprinted home after being injured in a car crash while on his way to help his family after thinking they were trapped in a house fire.
Carlos Pettigrew, alongside Corbin, joined us on FOX 5 Morning News Thursday. Both were very emotional, but in good spirits. Despite their losses, they said they felt blessed to know that their family was alive and well. "I just pictured them in the house, you know, screaming for help and me not being able to be there," Carlos said as he fought back tears.
Carlos, a teacher at Oxon Hill High School, was in a parent-teacher conference when he received an emergency call from his daughter Wednesday. As he was rushing to get home, he got into an accident and flipped his car on its roof. Pettigrew managed to free himself from the wreck and ran the rest of the way home.
He found his daughter and son safe but his home in ruins. Firefighters estimate the blaze, likely caused by a faulty extension cord, caused approximately $50,000 in damages. His car is also very badly damaged.
Students from his school have started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the Pettigrew family.
"We just want to do whatever we can to help him. Not only is Mr. Pettigrew a great teacher but he is also a wonderful person. Please donate what you can to help this family during this tragedy. Everything counts and we greatly appreciate all of your support," the students posted online.
Pettigrew was slightly injured in the accident but considers himself and his family lucky. He says his actions were nothing special and that he was just being a dad. "I do love my family," he said.
You can help the family by donating online here: https://www.gofundme.com/br9vfwhh