WINTON, N.C.-- Volunteer firefighters in Winton, N.C. were honored Tuesday for bravery.

The firefighters risked their lives going into a burning building to save two little boys trapped in the flames.

The boys are recovering in the hospital, having gone through five surgeries to repair burns and internal injuries.

Rescue crews feared the two brothers might not live through the night when they were rescued, but their mother says the boys are getting stronger every day.

Video: Firefighters in Winton, N.C. honored for bravery

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They should soon come home, thanks largely to the bravery of four very humble volunteer firefighters.

The stillness at their Winton home is a stark contrast to the chaos there less than two months ago.

On March 14th, the house was on fire and the two young brothers were trapped inside.

One of the firefighters vividly recalls the frightening scene.

"You can't see two inches in front of your face. If you ain’t scared, something is wrong with you," said James Cannette, a volunteer who was the first to go in.

"It's unreal, like somebody was pulling me to them. I walked straight to them, straight to the kids."

James, along with his son James, Jr., rescued seven year-old Malik, who recently took his first steps since the fire, as he recovers at Shriner’s Burn Hospital in Cincinnati.

Photo: Mary Harrell

Seven-year-old Malik is recovering from his injuries at Shriner's Burn Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Fellow volunteers Michael Hedgepeth and William Askew were right behind them with 11-year-old Lakyle.

Fighting back tears of pride, Winton officials honored the four fire fighters with medals for lifesaving.

Connie Boyce owns the beauty shop across the street and saw the heroism first hand.

"My thanks to you may seem small compared to all you do but it comes from my heart."

Cannette says the heroism was a group effort.

"I appreciate them honoring me, it's nice, but everybody needs to realize it was the whole department that saved them two kids’ lives."

Mary Harrell, who is with her boys in Cincinnatti, told 13News by telephone that her boys’ recovery has been slow, but progress would not be possible without the bravery of strangers.

"I probably can't thank them enough but I'm going to thank them all I can for saving my kids."

Mary is also grateful to the staff at Shriner's Hospital. She says they have provided amazing care, free of charge. She says both boys are expected to be released from the hospital later this month.