Orlando firefighters help couple rebuild their roof

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Homeowner Bob Thomas working alongside Orlando firefighters repairing his water-damaged roof.

“Excellent, excellent and helpful,” Thomas exclaimed, “that's the only way I know how to describe that!”

Firefighter Felix Marquez saw Thomas out fixing his roof when he came by earlier to install free smoke alarms.

“This is what we do, serve our community, help our guys,” Marquez said, “it's not just about coming in a time of emergency and provide medical care or fight fires. This is prevention, right here.”

The roof had been leaking for months, sustaining bad damage after Hurricane Irma. Water was getting inside the house. Firefighters said it could even lead to an electrical fire. Marquez rallied dozens of fellow firefighters to get the job done.

“So this is more prevention, helping this guy with his roof, giving him a good night, but also a safe environment,” Marquez said, “everyone assumes that their house is their sanctuary, right?”

Marquez and the rest of the volunteers paid about $2,000 of their own money for the supplies.

“It's just... wonderful! It's wonderful,” Thomas said.

“Just have a kind heart,” Marquez said, “we're in a time in society where we're not as nice as we used to be. Hopefully this can start changing that.”