28-05-2025
Teenagers, on way home from prom, lauded as heroes for helping family evacuate from fire
Correction: The Whitesboro junior prom was held May 17. The story was updated with the correct date
Three teenagers are being lauded as heroes by the Maynard Fire Department for their quick action when a family's garage caught fire and threatened to do the same to the home.
Maynard Fire Chief Jared Pearl said a group of teenagers were leaving the Whitesboro High School Junior Prom on May 17 when they saw the fire.
'Three young gentlemen were dropping off their dates after the Whitesboro Junior Prom, traveling along Cavanaugh Road, and they came across the garage fire, and by then, it was fully involved,' Pearl said.
UPDATE: Teenagers didn't expect attention after saving family from Whitesboro fire
Pearl said the teenagers were Aiden Kane, Tyler Sodja and Donato Jellenich.
The garage was detached from the building, and Pearl said the fire was so hot that it was melting the house's siding. And the family had no clue, as they were all on the other side of the house, away from the fire.
It was by sheer luck that one of their dates lived across the street.
'[Kane] ran across the street and banged on the door and told them what was happening,' Pearl said.
A father and his two daughters were inside the building. Pearl said Kane helped the girls across the street, where they were comforted by Morgan Randall. Meanwhile, Sodja checked the garage, and Jellenich called 911.
Pearl said there's a belief that the younger generations are more laid back, however, these teenagers showed different in their composure and fast-thinking actions.
'If they didn't do this, if they didn't get everyone out and call 911, it may have been three to four minutes before we got there,' Chief Pearl said. 'And by then, the house would have been fully involved.'
'They saved this family,' he concluded.
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And after speaking with the youths, Pearl only had more praise.
'They were nothing but humble,' the chief said. 'They don't look at themselves as heroes. But they saved this family, and it could have gone the other way within minutes. It's outstanding.'
The Maynard Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly after the call went out and was joined by Whitesboro Fire Department. They were able to put the fire out quickly enough.
'For a horrible situation, it came together well,' Pearl said. 'And it's all because of these young kids.'
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Whitesboro High School prom students alert family to house fire
