JHud Teams with Pillsbury to Give $10K Check to Girl, 12, Who Saved Family from Fire

Jennifer Hudson had a surprise for a 12-year-old hero who acted quick to save her family from a house fire.

On Tuesday’s episode of “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” Jennifer interviewed Aalaysia Canada and her mother Chantae Patterson from Appomattox, Virginia.

On October 17 around 3 a.m., a fire broke out in their house — prompting the family, including Aalaysia’s three sisters, to evacuate. Miraculously, everyone survived.

While speaking to Jennifer, Chantae described the day as “normal” until after she “put [her] girls to bed.”

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“Aalaysia comes running, wakes everyone up. ‘The house is on fire. The house is on fire!’” Chantae recalled.

Aalaysia told Jenn that she knew something was wrong when she woke up and “smelled hot dogs.”

“I thought someone was cooking up in the kitchen. I woke up and saw smoke, so I thought maybe [11-year-old sister] Angela was up, too, and she burnt [something],” the young woman recalled.

When she went into one of the rooms, Aalaysia saw “flames coming through” where 10-year-old sister Tiana’s bed was.

“So I decided to start screaming ‘cause I knew I wasn’t going into every room to wake them up,” Aalaysia said.

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Once her sisters heard her screams, Aalaysia “slammed open the door” and forced Tiana outside.

After Chantae grabbed her 2-year-old, the mother gave the baby to Aalaysia as she looked for her other daughter.

Fortunately, the entire family made it outside and out of harm’s way.

Chantae said “words can’t even explain” how proud she is of Aalaysia and her quick thinking.

“Her grandfather calls her ‘the miracle child,’” Chantae added.

When Jenn asked Aalaysia how it feels to be a hero, she said, “It feels pretty good. Like after you eat a big meal pretty good.”

To reward Aalaysia for her brave actions, Jenn teamed up with Pillsbury and surprised her and Chantae with $10,000 to rebuild their home.

“I love moments like this,” Jenn said.

To donate to Chantae, Aalaysia, and their family, visit GoFundMe.com.

“The Jennifer Hudson Show” airs weekdays. Check your local listings.