A rare kind of hero: Newton County Firefighter Paul Douglas received an award for valor from Liberty Mutual Thursday afternoon for his valiant effort to save the life of a Newton County man. Douglas went into a burning home by himself the night of Sept. 8 and was able to rescue a man from the flames, although that man later died, Douglas’ fast thinking and bravery allowed him to “live another day,” according to Chief Mike Satterfield. Douglas is only the second in the state to receive this award.

Many other firefighters responded to the blaze and arrived shortly after Douglas and Engineer Thomas Robinson got to the home.