VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan firefighter has been honored for rescuing a 2-year-old from December fire that killed her 14-year-old uncle.

The Ann Arbor News reports John Henderson on Tuesday was awarded the Van Buren Township Public Safety Department’s medal of honor for his efforts to save Amariyana Wells.

The township’s fire Chief Dan Besson says Henderson was the first firefighter to reach the house and, once there, realized he didn’t have his helmet. Besson says Henderson went into the house anyway and crawled through it until he found the girl.

Henderson then drove an ambulance to the hospital so two paramedics could tend to Amaryiana’s injuries. She had third-degree burns on her back, legs and arms.

Several other firefighters, police officers and dispatchers were honored for their work during the fire.