The Cavalcantes made it out just in time. No sooner were they outside than the floors of their 20-year-old mobile home collapsed.

"It's a miracle that we're still alive. We should have all been dead," Cavalcante said, standing outside the charred mobile home Thursday afternoon.

She had no doubts about whom she and her husband owe their lives.

"We're pretty doggone proud of him," Cavalcante said. "We really are lucky. ... It's a miracle (Vincent) was still awake."

County fire officials were also amazed by Vincent's quick thinking and composure during the crisis.

"For a 4-year old, in a word it's ‘phenomenal,'" said Dusty Ruscoe, Currituck's fire chief. "For him to be able to grasp that concept ... he obviously remembered what he was trained."

Ruscoe said Vincent's actions are proof that educating school children, even those as young as Vincent, is well-worth the effort.

"It makes me very proud that they took the time and interest to teach the kids about fire safety and prevention," Ruscoe said. "It paid off by saving three people's lives."

As for the hero himself, Vincent was taking all the attention – he gave at least one print interview and one television interview Thursday – in stride.

"I wasn't scared," he said. "My mommy picked me up and ran."