Gridley Fire Department staff responded to a house fire on July 5 to find that a brave city employee had helped rescue those inside. Photo by Will Sheffield

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - In the early morning hours of July 5, a city employee’s valiant actions played a large role in the successful knock down of a fire.

According to CAL FIRE/Butte County/Gridley Fire Department engineer Alex Klien, a call came in at 7:10 a.m. reporting a fire at a residence on E. Gridley Road.

Reports say that City of Gridley employee Michael Clayton observed dark smoke issuing from a home. Clayton immediately stopped and notified the authorities of the emergency while he began trying to wake the residents.

Clayton successfully got seven young adults out of the home and to a safe area on the front lawn of the property as firefighters arrived.

CAL FIRE/Gridley Fire Department’s Klein said that Clayton’s quick actions were essential to the safety of the seven individuals and saving the home.

“It changes our operations,” Klein told the Herald, explaining that crews could go straight into firefighting mode knowing that all persons/animals were already accountable. He reaffirmed that as part of their training, they always remain vigilant for any potential persons that could be left inside, but in this case, were able to focus on saving the structure.

If Clayton had not stopped and woken the residents, Klein said, the outcome could have been much worse and that he was truly an “unsung hero.”

While the cause is under investigation, the fire appeared to have started outside in an attached carport, making its way into the home by the time the fire apparatus arrived.