SAN ANTONIO -- The first San Antonio Fire Department Cadet graduating class of 2009 spent Thursday evening torching one vehicle and dismantling another.

The cadets were showing off their newly learned skills for family and friends at Fire Cadet Family Night at the San Antonio Fire Department Training Academy on the city's west side.

Hundreds of relatives and friends watched as the cadets used sledge hammers, a Hurst tool and brute force to save two actors from a vehicle. Once complete, the cadets set fire to a huge petroleum pit, sending a massive plume of black smoke and flames shooting into the air. They quickly extinguished the flames, a feat that was met with applause from a very proud crowd.

Cynthia Hubbard's 25 year-old son Joshua decided to be a firefighter two years ago, following in his father's footsteps.

"I'm very proud of my son. He's done awesome, he's done very well and I'm very proud of him," Hubbard said.