The Portola City Council celebrated a hero at its regular city council meeting on April 24.
Jose “Tony” Avalos, a humble 20-year-old local who works as a cook at Eastern Plumas Health Care, saved a life on April 14 by running into a burning house and dragging unconscious citizen Dave Stanton to safety.
In recognition of Avalos’ selfless act of bravery, the council awarded him with a commemorative plaque given to him by Stanton in an emotional presentation.
Mayor Phil Oels read a proclamation describing the event while Avalos’ family and friends snapped photos of the unpretentious man receiving his award from a teary eyed Stanton.
“It was a great honor,” said Avalos afterward. “I don’t consider myself a hero, but it was a great honor to be called a hero.”
The fire ignited while Stanton, who was recovering from a knee surgery and was on an oxygen cannula, was asleep. Avalos was driving back from bowling in Reno when he saw the house up in smoke.
According to Avalos, adrenaline kicked in and he entered the house in search of any occupants. He found Stanton unconscious and unresponsive.
Avalos lifted and carried Stanton from the flame-engulfed home to the other side of street and called emergency response personnel.
Avalos said that Stanton, who was still in shock when he came too, expressed his gratitude at the city council meeting by saying he would never forget Avalos for the rest of his life.
“We the City Council would like to formally thank Mr. Tony Avalos for his quick response and the selfless act of bravery that he displayed by running into a smoke filled, burning building to save another human life,” Oels read.
The presentation ended with a standing ovation from the public, city staff and the council.
Article by Carolyn Shipp
Staff Writer, Portola Reporter