Pocatello boy honored for saving family

An 11-year-old Pocatello boy is being hailed as a hero after firefighters say his actions helped save his family from a fire last month.

Degan Horvath was presented with a Citizen Life-Saving Award by the Pocatello Fire Department after he alerted his family to a fire at their Wilson Street mobile home on Mar 1.

Horvath was given the award at a surprise ceremony Monday at Alameda Middle School. In addition to the award, firefighters presented Horvath’s entire class with ice cream sandwiches.

According to firefighters, Horvath had been awakened by smoke inside his home and alerted his parents to a fire. Because of his actions, firefighters say everyone was able to escape.

“We’d like to express our gratitude for what he did. A young man at that age made some big decisions,” said Capt. Jeremy Pincock.

Firefighters took the opportunity to encourage Horvath’s classmates to talk with their families about smoke detectors. Pincock said many homes in Pocatello lack them.