SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A Springfield woman and her grandson narrowly escaped tragedy Saturday morning after fire ripped through their Hill-McKnight home.

Fire officials say it may not have been such a happy ending had it not been for a 21-year-old.

The home that used to be 49 Willard Avenue filled up with thick smoke just before 5:00 Saturday morning when a powerstrip in its basement caught fire, according to Springfield Fire Department Spokesman, Dennis Ledger.

In a matter of minutes the home was up in flames and somehow the two people sleeping inside were safely outside.

Because she's been sick, 21-year-old Keith Freeman will come and stay overnight with his grandmother, Lula Griffin, a couple nights during the week. Luckily last night was one of those nights.

Freeman told 22News he was sleeping downstairs when something woke him up.

"I turned around and I noticed the air quality was kind of bad. I was like wow, this is not happening," Freeman said.

Realizing the situation at hand Freeman quickly focused his attention on his grandmother who was sleeping upstairs.

"I started yelling upstairs, I said, 'Nana, Nana!' and she replied, and I said, there's a lot of smoke going on down here and she came down," Freeman added.

Ledger told 22News it was lucky Freeman was staying there last night.

While this Springfield Grandmother may have lost her home, she has a grandson to thank for her life.

The other home in the building didn't have any damage.

The American Red Cross is helping the family.