Commack family saved by 10-year-old's quick thinking

COMMACK, N.Y. -- Christopher Schneider, 10, is a good neighbor, a hero on his block in Commack.

The Kimmel family of three including a 2-year-old lives next door. Christopher was at home in the home's yard Monday when suddenly, Christopher noticed black smoke.

"I mean, what he did ... definitely saved that family's life," said Commack Fire Department Asst. Fire Chief Paul Carnevale.

He called 911 and told his dad, who started pounding on the Kimmels' door.

"Well, I learned in school that black smoke usually means there's a fire going on," said Christopher.

The Kimmels agreed that the fire was moving so fast and they had no clue it had started.

"If that little guy did not do what he did ... we would not be here right now," said Marc Kimmel.

What's also incredible is the Kimmels' 2-year old, Anthony, usually sleeps right next to where the fire started -- except for yesterday.

"If we were sleeping in bed and he was sleeping in the room and they wouldn't have been home, we would've all been dead," said Marc Kimmel. "It would been a lot."

The take away? Teaching fire prevention works!

"He's an incredible young man. He was calmer than I was," said Russell Schneider, Christopher's father. "I'm very proud of him."