A teen in Connecticut saved a mom and her three kids' lives by pulling them from a burning car.

18-year-old Gavin was heading to Walgreens in Waterbury to get some supplies for his sister.

He, and numerous others, then noticed a car in flames driving down the street.

Gavin recalled:

"The car drove past me, on fire."

The car then came to a stop, and Gavin raced to help the driver and passengers.

When checking inside the car, he saw a mom and her three children stuck and immediately rushed to help them out.

Gavin said:

"I just felt like if I was in that situation, I would want somebody to help me out. I guess my instincts took over."

He then first helped the mom out of the driver's seat.

He then quickly asked the 9-year-old child to unbuckle her younger siblings, ages 4 and 1, from their seatbelt so he would carry them out.

And as the flames grew larger, he pulled the three kids to safety.

According to Gavin, flames engulfed the car moments later.

He said:

"It kind of got scary because I didn't know whether I was going to be able to get everyone out in time. And luckily, I did."

Later that day, Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo presented Gavin a 'Challenge Coin' to honor his heroics.

The police award the coin only to officers who demonstrate an act of bravery.

Spagnolo said:

"One of the things I do to recognize people's heroic feats or excellent work, I provide them with… a challenge coin."

"It's just to acknowledge this heroic act that you conducted. It's just a token of my appreciation for you being a great member of this community."

He added:

"Justin showed the country we need each other and need to engage in selfless acts."

"Actions like his show how we, as a society, get through social unrest with an open heart and an open mind."

"Gavin's getting the attention he deserves, and we want more of this; what he did was so awesome."

"The community has really rallied for him. He's garnered lots of support nationwide, and he's handling it so well."

"I think he's going to do great things in the future."

Meanwhile, Gavin said he did what he thinks 'a lot of people would do.

He said:

"Some people think teens are just lazy, but that's not true."

"I wouldn't consider myself a hero. I'd just want someone to help me if I was in that situation. So, that's why I ran to the car..."

"This was really about someone else's well-being, not mine."