Orlando Firefighters help a couple rebuild their roof damaged by Hurricane Irma

Orlando, Fla. — Orlando firefighters decided to spend their Sunday afternoon displaying an act of kindness by helping a couple fix their home with a leaky roof. It all came about on Saturday after firefighters and the American Red Cross went door to door in the Carver Shores neighborhood, installing free smoke alarms.

While installing the alarms, they noticed an elderly man struggling to lift up plywood. One firefighter asked the man about leaks he saw in the home and learned that it had some damage during Hurricane Irma, causing water to bleed through the tarp. Each weekend, the homeowner Bob Thomas and his wife attempt to place plywood on the roof.

Orlando Firefighter Felix Marquez organized about eight firefighters who came in on their day off, and using their own money, raised $ 3,000 to purchase multiple sheets of plywood, rent equipment, and call in department crews to help fix the roof.

Crews were able to removed the water damaged sections of the roof and replace it with new plywood, setting it up for a new roof in the near future.

Anyone looking to help can contact the Orlando Public Relations Office at OFDPublicRelations@cityoforlando.net or 407-246-FIRE.