Uber Eats Driver and Deputies Rescue Vista Woman from Burning Home

A woman is recovering in the hospital after being rescued from a burning mobile home in Vista, thanks to the bravery of a passerby and two sheriff’s deputies.

Nas Mohamed, an Uber Eats driver and part-time interior painter, was out on an early morning delivery Friday when he smelled smoke and followed the trail to a fire. His instincts led him to a mobile home ablaze, where he quickly began knocking on doors to alert the occupants.

“I saw a man outside who said his wife was still inside with their two cats,” Mohamed told NBC 7. “I heard her screaming near the fire. I went inside and called out to her, trying to find her through the smoke.”

Mohamed found the woman, but as he attempted to guide her to safety, she pulled away, crying out for her pets. Thick smoke made it nearly impossible to find the exit again, and Mohamed was soon overwhelmed.

Fortunately, deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department arrived just in time. Deputy Robert Oliveri entered through the front door and searched through the smoke, while Deputy Craig Vanden Bossche and Mohamed worked together to communicate with the woman through a window. The group was able to pull her to safety—along with one of her cats.

Mohamed, who had no protective gear or formal training, suffered smoke inhalation and burns. Video later showed a deputy carrying him to safety and laying him down as he gasped for air.

Despite his injuries, Mohamed said the most powerful moment was hearing the woman speak. “She asked my name again and again. I couldn’t talk at first because of the smoke, but finally I told her. She held my hand and said, ‘You saved me.’ I told her, ‘God saved us.’”

The woman was airlifted to the hospital. Her current condition has not been publicly released. Mohamed was also hospitalized and is expected to recover.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Mohamed said, “If someone’s life is at risk, just go for it. Why not break a window or door to help someone?”

Sheriff’s Lt. Matt Carpenter praised both his deputies and Mohamed, stating: “I am incredibly proud of each deputy who responded to the call. I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to the courageous community member who risked his safety to help a stranger. His bravery and quick response played an essential role in saving a life.”

The fire's cause is under investigation, but authorities believe it may have started from food left unattended on the stove.