Homeless Man Rescues 16 Animals in Atlanta Shelter After Fire Broke Out

Well, something positive to hear in this time of crisis. There are still people out there who love animals so much that they can even risk their lives to protect them. Keith Walker, 53, is honored with saving the lives of 16 animals in shelters. Walker, who is homeless, jumped into the burning animal shelter to save them. The fire service expected the arrival of animal control, but Walker rushed into the house to get the animals out. It was said the fire began in the kitchen and was an electric fire.

Atlanta homeless person did his best to rescue all 16 of the dogs and cats inside a nearby animal shelter

When it went up in flames, an Atlanta homeless person did his best to rescue all 16 of the dogs and cats inside a nearby animal shelter.

On the afternoon of December 18, Keith Walker, 53, who is homeless, was going to W-Underdogs to pick up his pitbull, Bravo, for a walk when he saw the flames, shelter creator Gracie Hamlin told CNN.

Walker immediately charged into the burning house to evacuate the six dogs and 10 cats trapped inside, boarding his dog at night at the shelter.

Credit: W-Underdogs/Facebook

He was really scared according to him

Hamlin said that the firefighters had 'called animal control, but Keith was already in the building pulling out the cats and dogs until they were all safe.'

Walker said he 'was nervous as hell' about his heroic act.

'I'm not going to lie,' he told the news outlet. 'I was really scared to go in there with all that smoke. But God put me there to save those animals.'

Credit: W-Underdogs/Facebook

The incident happened when Hamlin was outside picking up supply donations

He added: 'If you love a dog, you can love anyone in the world. My dog is my best friend, and I wouldn't be here without him, so I knew I had to save all those other dogs.'

Hamlin named Walker her 'guardian angel'. In a Facebook post, Army veteran Hamlin said that when she got a call trying to warn her that the shelter, which is also her house, had gone up in flames, she was outside picking up supply donations.

Credit: Facebook

The fire service had concluded that the fire was an electric fire that had begun in her kitchen

She wrote that the fire service was able to stop the fire until it engulfed the whole home, but the house was left uninhabitable amid their swift work.

Luckily, W-Underdogs had been moved to a new facility area for just one week, so the animals had somewhere to go.

Hamlin said the fire service had concluded that the fire was an electric fire that had begun in her kitchen.

Credit: Grace Hamlin/Facebook

More than $16,000 has now been collected for him by One GoFundMe

Hamlin told CNN more than a week after the fire that Walker's swift intervention to rescue the animals left her 'still in shock because I was around a fire and I knew how easily they blow up. He's a hero of mine.'

People were eager to question if they could support Walker and set up fundraiser campaigns on his part as news of Walker's actions spread.

More than $16,000 has now been collected for him by One GoFundMe.

Credit: W-Underdogs/Facebook

He is not currently accepting offers of help

In a Facebook post on Sunday, W-Underdogs noted that 'Mr. Walker is indeed our hero and proof that the hard work we do in the community is rewarded in so many different ways.'

Hamlin added that 'We are in contact with Keith and working to assess his needs and wants. He is not currently accepting offers of help but we will continue to stay in touch with him and share as much as he will allow.'

Hamlin added that 'We have made many offers to Keith over the years and he prefers to live his life of his own free will and we respect that and will continue to work with him on options.'

Credit: W-Underdogs/Facebook

We value the relationship we have built with him this past year while helping him to care for his dog

She noted that 'We will also continue to provide food and medical care of his dog, Bravo', and that any money donated to the shelter 'goes back into supporting our community, including Keith and so many other deserving people and pets.'

Hamlin wrote that 'Keith embodied the spirit of W-Underdogs when he saved our animals in their time of need. We value the relationship we have built with him this past year while helping him to care for his dog, and we will continue to work with Keith according to what his wishes are.'

She added: 'While we are certainly appreciative of the outpouring of recognition for his selfless deed, it is also important to respect his perspective on what he may feel he does or does not want in terms of help. This is the same credo we follow with all of the members in our community in which we serve, as we continue to work hard to build and maintain the bond of trust between us.'

Credit: United Way