Teens Rescue Family from House Fire on their Way Home from Prom

On May 17, Whitesboro High School students Aiden Kane, Morgan Randall, Donato Jellenichr and Tyler Sodj were heading home after attending their junior prom. As they drove through a typically quiet neighborhood, they saw a garage engulfed in a blazing fire that had begun to encroach on the home. The teens immediately called 911, then pulled over and rushed to offer help to the strangers who occupied the home.

Aiden described the dramatic rescue as a true team effort.

"Everyone jumped out of the car," Aiden explained. “Donato immediately called 911, Tyler ran towards the garage to ensure that there weren’t people trapped inside, and I ran up to the door and started pounding.“

A young girl answered the door of the home where she lived with her father and sister.

"You’ve got to get out," Aiden frantically urged the girl. "I grabbed the girls, ran them across the street to where my girlfriend [Morgan] comforted them, because they were really upset."

Once safely outside on the lawn, the teens comforted the distressed girls while they awaited the fire department. Their father, who had been inside calling 911, soon joined them.

The raging fire set off multiple explosive sounds, which further frightened the young girls. "You’re ok, you’re ok," Aiden reassured the panicked young girls. "Just walk over here, come here. You’re ok."

He urged them to stand behind a parked car across the street to create as much distance as he could between them and the fire. Morgan helped calm the girls by keeping them talking while wiping away their tears.

First responders quickly arrived on the scene and stopped the fire from spreading further toward the home.

"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," said Maynard Fire Chief Jared Pearl. "And by then, the house would have been fully involved."

The humble students said they "didn't think twice" about running over to offer help. "You don’t have a lot of time in those situations," they added.

"It felt good to know we did something good for someone else, but we never expected it to get attention," Aiden shared.

Aiden said he felt prepared for the moment because his father, a police and EMS chief, had taught him how to calmly handle emergency situations. Aiden plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a state trooper after graduation.

The Foundation For A Better Life and PassItOn believe that the teens are heroes. Their action is a great example of the value of teamwork. The group helped to prevent a tragedy with their coordinated fast action and desire to help others. It is surely a prom night they won’t ever forget. Please help us celebrate them by sharing their story.

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/YIuVGufp39w?si=6BDKMnN1XHpbzvNe