A Nove Scotia man is being called a hero after making a split second decision to help a total stranger reunite with her children during the Fort McMurray evacuation.

Pat O’Connor has lived and worked in Fort McMurray for years.

When the evacuation order was given last week due to the raging fire, O’Connor selflessly came to the aid of a waitress desperate to get home to her kids.

“The smoke rolled in and we knew we were in trouble,” says O’Connor.

The waitress had called a cab, but it wasn't coming. Everyone was fleeing so, instead of using precious time to gather his own belongings, O’Connor got her safely home to her children.

“When I came back they wouldn't let me in and I knew I'd lost everything, but I would do it all again tomorrow because I know she is safe, she's with her children,” says O’Connor.

Word of O’Connor’s actions spread and many are calling the Maritimer a hero.

“I did nothing, no more than any other good person that came from the Maritimes would do,” says O’Connor.

Now the kindness is being returned, as an anonymous donor gifted O’Connor a flight back to his home province after seeing his story on Facebook.

“She said ‘you're on a flight to go home to Nova Scotia, can you make it?’ and I said ‘most definitely,’” says O’Connor.

It was an emotional reunion for O'Connor and his daughter.

“I'm just relieved that he's safe, the fire was scary and having to hear everything from so far away was even worse, but he’s home,” says Juanita O’Connor, Pat’s O’Connor’s daughter.

O’Connor says he is happy to be safe and sound in Nova Scotia, but says it is the children he worries about most back in Fort McMurray.

"These are families there that are devastated, financially and emotionally,” says O’Connor. “You're going to have children scarred by this because they literally escaped the flames on both sides of the road.”

He says it is a miracle that people got out safe, but O’Connor believes that the community is tough and they will bounce back.

“They stand by each other and I know they are going to bounce back and be as strong as they ever were, if not stronger,” says O’Connor.

After spending time with family in Nova Scotia, O’Connor will return to Fort McMurray to help rebuild.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Marie Adsett