A 25-year-old man has been hailed as a hero after risking his own life to rescue five children from a burning house in Indiana.

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Nicholas Bostic was driving past the property at around 12:30AM when he spotted the house engulfed in flames, per ABC News.

Rather than continuing on, Bostic immediately pulled over.

With first responders yet to arrive and no phone on him to call 911, he headed towards the back of the house to see if anyone was trapped inside.

What followed was an extraordinary rescue.

Bostic entered the burning property and raced upstairs, where he discovered four people: an 18-year-old, a one-year-old and two 13-year-olds.

Police said the 18-year-old was at home with her siblings, while one of the 13-year-olds was a friend who was spending the night. The children’s parents were not at home when the fire broke out.

Bostic managed to lead all four safely downstairs and out of the house.

But once outside, he discovered somebody was still missing.

“I asked them if anybody was left in there — and that’s when they told me that the 6-year-old was,” Bostic said.

Despite already escaping the flames once, he went straight back inside to find the six-year-old girl.

Conditions inside the property were becoming increasingly dangerous. Thick smoke made it difficult for Bostic to see, while the intense heat left him frightened that the house could explode.

Then he heard the child whimper.

That sound gave him the courage to continue searching despite the danger surrounding him.

“The last thing I could do was waste a second panicking,” he said.

Bostic eventually found the girl, but getting them both out of the burning house presented another challenge.

He punched through a window so they could escape.

His actions came at a cost. Police said Bostic was hospitalised with severe smoke inhalation and a serious cut to his arm, although he has since been released.

Crucially, all five children were reported to be doing well following the ordeal.

Lafayette Police Lt. Randy Sherer described Bostic’s actions as “heroic,” while the city said the 25-year-old had “impressed many with his courage, tenacity, and steadfast calmness.”

Bostic has since spoken to the children’s parents, with his remarkable actions creating a connection that could last well beyond that night.

“The dad said he’d love to take me out for a dinner,” he said. “They have wide-open arms welcoming me as a part of their family.”

“I’m glad I was there at the right time, the right place,” Bostic added.

Despite the injuries he suffered, Bostic insists he would make the same decision again if somebody’s life was at risk.

“If opportunity came again and I had to do it, I would do it,” he said. “I knew what I was risking. I knew the next second it could be my life. But every second counted.”

Featured image credit: Lafayette Police