A Beloit man receives national recognition for saving a woman and two children from a house fire.
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded 28-year-old Luis Mendoza with the Carnegie Medal, considered one of the highest civilian honors in the country.
In May of 2019, Mendoza helped a 24-year-old woman and two young children escape from a burning house. He broke out a window in the basement of the residence to help them crawl out, before running out through the kitchen and front door.
Mendoza suffered second-degree burns on his face and hands but has since recovered.
He is one of 17 recipients across the United States and Canada in the latest round of award winners, the only one from Wisconsin or the entire Midwest.
As part of the award, Mendoza will receive a financial grant from the fund started by Andrew Carnegie back in 1904.
