Neighbor catches 5-year-old child dropped from burning home

Boston firefighters tweeted out this photo of the burning home. (Credit: Boston Fire Department)

A neighbor is being credited as a hero for catching a 5-year-old child that was dropped out of a window by the mother to escape a burning building. 

The Boston Fire Department said the 3-alarm "heavy" fire broke out over the weekend on Delford Street.

Firefighters said a mother and her two children were trapped on the second floor. 

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Authorities said the "heroic" neighbor put down a mattress for the family to jump on as he caught the 5-year-old child.

Local outlets identify that neighbor as Clifford Saint Jean. He told reporters that he woke up to the sound of the fire around midnight. He quickly put the mattress down and called for the mother to drop her kid, according to NBC 10 Boston

Fire officials said the blaze ended up displacing five adults and four children. Damages are estimated at $1 million. 

The Red Cross of Massachusetts is assisting the victims. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

This story was reported from Los Angeles.