Phelan boy saves grandma from burning home

A young boy saved his grandmother from their burning home after learning techniques at a school field trip to a local fire station, fire officials said Monday.

San Bernardino County Fire says a space heater too close to combustibles started a house fire Saturday near the community of Phelan. Firefighters put the fire out within 15 minutes, and saved a pet in the process, according to engineer and paramedic Officer Jeff Allen.

After the firefight, officials learned a five-year-old boy was asleep in the home at the time of the fire — just feet from where the fire started in his room. The young boy awoke, coughing from the smoke, and noticed the fire burning in his room. He exited his bed and crawled beneath the smoke, up the hallway to alert his grandmother to the fire.

“Because of this young hero’s actions,” Allen says, “both he and his grandmother were able to escape the growing inferno.”

Allen says this boy was one of 100 kindergarteners from Phelan Elementary School on a field trip at County Fire Station 10 in Phelan just two days prior to the fire. During the tour, the students learned lessons on fire safety, which included “Stop, Drop and Roll”, EDITH drills, (Exit Drills in the Home) and when to call 911.

“It is also important to note that there were no working smoke detectors in the home. Although this incident had a positive outcome, we always recommend smoke detectors are installed and working properly,” said Allen.

County Fire reminds citizens that with the transition to cooler temperatures, it is important to keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that may catch fire from radiant heat.

For more safety tips on winter heating reminders, visit www.sbcfire.org and click on Safety Preparedness, Heating & Candle Safety.