Nationwide — Miracle Keith, an African American mother from Conway, South Carolina, saved her 3-year-old daughter, Amiri, from a burning apartment during an early morning fire on May 30. Both survived but suffered injuries after escaping the flames.
She woke around 4 a.m. and went downstairs in her Rhue Street apartment, where she found the building already filling with smoke and fire. She immediately realized her daughter was still upstairs.
“She ran back upstairs to grab Amiri, but she had to run through the fire and smoke and all the heat to even get out. It was terrifying,” her mother, Nina Keith, told WMBF News.
Next door, her neighbor Harmony woke up after smelling smoke. She checked the apartment and found the doorknob hot, signaling the fire had already spread.
As Harmony tried to get inside, she saw Miracle at the doorway forcing it open while carrying Amiri and a visiting friend, Morgan, who had also been inside at the time.
All three made it outside but collapsed shortly after escaping the apartment. Emergency responders arrived and provided immediate medical care at the scene.
Amiri suffered second-degree burns to her hands, feet, arms, and legs. She was treated in ICU burn care in Augusta and has since been released and is now recovering.
Miracle sustained severe burns along with lung damage and remains under medical care as doctors work to help her breathe without assistance.
The fire left the family without their home, prompting fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $58,000, along with donations being collected through their church.
Family members said they are focused on Miracle’s recovery and Amiri’s healing. They also credited Miracle’s actions for saving their lives during the fire.
“We are so proud of her for having the courage and determination to do that,” said Nina.
“They said a lot of people wouldn’t have done that,” added her father, Kenya.