Mom Who Died Saving Her 2 Kids in House Fire Receives Posthumous Medal: 'Everyone Is Calling Her a Hero'
Giovanna Cabrera and her 1-year-old son were killed after she went in to save him during a February house fire
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Giovanna Cabrera and Gabriel PeñaA Texas mother who saved her two children from a house fire, but died attempting to save her infant son, has received a posthumous honor for her heroic efforts.
Giovanna Cabrera, 31, was one of the 18 recipients of the Carnegie Medal — which is awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund to individuals who “enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others,” according to a release from the organization announcing the 2024 honorees.
In the early morning hours of Feb. 3, a fire erupted in Cabrera’s home in Houston, and she quickly sprang into action to secure her 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter's safety before going back inside to retrieve her 1-year-old son Gabriel Peña from his crib. Tragically, Cabrera and Gabriel both died in the fire.
Chief Samuel Pena
The scene of the house fire that Giovanna Cabrera died in while saving her childrenNever miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Peña confirmed Cabrera and her son’s death in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) writing at the time that Cabrera went back into her home to “rescue her child from the flames.”
Related: Mom of 3 Dies Trying to Save Her Kids from Georgia House Fire: ‘She's a Hero,’ Sister Says
“Our prayers & condolences to the family,” Chief Peña added.
Upon arriving at the scene, crews from the Houston Fire Department said “heavy fire conditions” were found, Peña confirmed at the time.
Footage of the blaze, shared by local CBS affiliate KHOU, showed flames erupting as they completely engulfed Cabrera’s home.
Giselle Bueno, Giovanna’s sister, said her sister was found with her son in her arms, according to local ABC affiliate KTRK-TV. “I know that she had to save her babies,” she added, “like I can only imagine how scared she was.”
Cabrera’s two surviving children were placed in the care of their father following her death.
Related: Mom of 4 Dies in House Fire While Her Children Escape: 'Tragic Accident'
The Carnegie Medal is the highest honor for civilian heroism and recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant for being recognized, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund.
Following the news that Cabrera was honored, Bueno spoke with KHOU about how her sister would feel about being deemed a hero.
"And everyone is calling her a hero," Bueno said. "I know that she’s just looking at us and she’s happy and proud, even though she didn’t make it, that everyone is trying to help.”
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