The Seminole County Fire Department and the Sanford Fire Department recently presented Lake Mary High School junior Lincoln Sharpe with a Citizen’s Award and Honorary Firefighter badge for his quick thinking in getting his family out of their home fire.

On the evening of Thursday, February 12, 2026, a call was received at 11:27 p.m. on Long Pond Drive in Longwood, FL reporting of flames on a screened-in porch patio.

16-year-old Lincoln Sharpe’s room was right by the pool patio. The other five bedrooms were on the complete other side of the house. Lincoln saw a flicker of light that looked like a spark or something electrical and immediately looked out his window and saw the danger. He quickly helped get all of his eight family members out of the house by pounding on each door and yelling, “fire.” The dogs also made it out safe. Lincoln lived in the home for all of his life with his family for the past two decades.

Within four minutes, fire units were on scene fighting the fully engulfed fire that was spreading rapidly. Unfortunately, the home was not salvageable, but a crew from the Sanford Fire Department helped recover some sentimental family valuables (e.g., mother’s wedding ring, teddy bear, military flag and an urn).

“As we all know, property can be rebuilt, but our number one priority is saving lives,” said Battalion Chief Chris Baker of the Seminole County Fire Department. “We are so glad that everyone is safe thanks to Lincoln’s help, but understand your sense of security is shaken and the disruption the fire it has caused in your life. We are here to honor Lincoln for his bravery in helping get all his family members quickly out of the house and safe.”

In addition, Lincoln expressed interest in becoming a firefighter in the future as he has relatives in the fire service.