Edmonton kid, 4, brought smiles, relief as firefighters put out blaze

When four-year-old Charlton saw a fire in his back alley, he knew exactly what to do.

Step 1? Tell his father.

Step 2? Put on his firefighter costume.

The pint-sized firefighter caught the eye of Edmonton Fire Rescue crews after they were done putting out the fire in the King Edward Park neighbourhood.

“We finished, turned around and looked and there was this little boy in his costume with his jaw on the floor,” said firefighter Cody Smith.

Because the fire had already been extinguished and there were no injuries related to the blaze, they invited Charlton to lend a hand with the hose.

Hey @EdmontonFire My husband took these photos. Fire happened in King Edward Park at 2:17 pm Oct 25. My 4 year old saw the fire & changed into his costume to join your men. Please thank them for helping to put the fire out. Nobody was hurt. pic.twitter.com/fSFlJ35MhV

— Cynthia Priest (Chiew) (@CynPriest) October 26, 2022

Charlton’s mother, Cynthia Priest, took to social media to thank the crewsfor including her son in their important work.

“It’s so inspiring, as adults we’re so caught up in the moment,” Priest told CityNews. “And to see a four-year-old and be like: I got this.”

While there were no injuries related to the Tuesday fire, it was a stressful time for neighbours, who were not sure if the fire would spread.

Fire in back alley of the King Edward Park neighbourhood. (Credit: Mike Priest/handout)

But Charlton, in his costume, helped in another way.

“I’m also glad my son was there, kind of like a comic relief,” said Priest. “I think it was heartwarming too, just to see the fire department including a little kid.”

When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Charlton did not hesitate to answer: firefighter.

For Smith, who works out of Fire Hall 21 in the Rossdale neighbourhood, being able to show a child in costume how the hose works is a moment that stands out.

“The change, from going to bad calls, people’s worst days, to seeing a kid in costume, happy and excited,” said Smith.

His recommendation for Charlton, as well as any other kids looking to become firefighters: study hard in school and stay active.

Four-year-old Charlton assists Edmonton firefighters. (Credit: Mike Priest/handout)