Orlando firefighters help fix man's roof

Orlando firefighters are going above and beyond the call of duty. They’re helping one homeowner fix his roof after seeing an elderly man struggle to fix it himself.

It all started when firefighters went door to door offering to install free smoke detectors.  Now that one small act of kindness has snowballed into a community wide effort to save this home on Lanette Street. 

“I was overwhelmed,” homeowner Bob Thomas said. This was just too heavy for me.”

While carrying a large piece of plywood, Orlando firefighter Felix Marquez asked if Bob Thomas needed help.

“It broke my heart because this is a 70-year-old man who has taken every effort he can on his own,” Marquez said. 

The roof had been leaking for months after suffering damage from Hurricane Irma. 

“It’s been tough not being able to sleep for awhile,” Thomas said. 

That same day Marquez began rallying dozens of fellow firefighter to help.

“Ladders, saws - I was ecstatic because I have been struggling with this for awhile,” Thomas said. 

Pooling $3,800 of their own money for supplies.

“That’s my pot of gold to be honest,” Marquez said. “To help. To see that man happy.”

He also recruited others from the community. 

“Pretty significant water damage,” Dave Pierce of Southeastern Capital of Orlando. 

Any mold and mildew from water damage inside will be treated free of charge. Thomas has lived in this home for 31 years. He said he recently dealt with health complications that meant he could not afford homeowners insurance. 

“I had some rough times,” Thomas said. 

Now he has new friends and a new appreciation for paying it forward.

“It’s just… wonderful! It’s wonderful!” Thomas said. 

The work is far from over. The volunteers said they need help laying shingles on the roof and replacing drywall inside.