WACO (February 26, 2012) -- Joe Gutierrez says he's no hero.

"I'm a regular guy," he said. "I'm not a hero, I'm a father...that's what fathers do."

But the Nieto family can't think of a better word to describe him, after Gutierrez saved their three babies from their burning home last Thursday.

"I don't even have the words...to appreciate (him) enough," said Abraham Nieto.

Gutierrez was walking down 12th Street after his lunch break early Thursday afternoon when he saw smoke and flames coming from the home near Waco Drive. That's when Gutierrez said he heard a woman with a baby screaming for help because there were still more babies inside the house.

"I had to go back and find the baby," said Gutierrez.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, Gutierrez had rescued three babies from the burning home. That's when he left and went back to work, because he says he knew firefighters could take it from there.

"People asked why I didn't stick around," said Gutierrez. "I just did what I had to do. I didn't think about being recognized."

The family didn't even know who Gutierrez was until long after the fire was out.

Now, days later he says has an unbreakable bond with the same people who were once complete strangers.

An account has been set up to help the family at the Alliance National Bank in Waco in the name of Griselda Rodriguez.