Shawnee honors three for fire rescue efforts

May 14 started as ordinary day for Jessica Daale of Shawnee. She was just starting to take her son to school about 7 a.m. when she spotted smoke coming from a home at 4829 Lucille Lane.

Alarmed, she stopped her car and yelled to a neighbor to call 911. She then went up to the house and began banging on the front doors and windows, alerting the people inside.

The front screen door was locked, but Daale could hear and see two women lying just inside the door, calling for help. The door was locked from the inside and they were unable to find a key. Daale forced open the door to help the two women get outside.

By then, two other neighbors, Katherine and Brandon Humble, arrived to help.

One of the rescued women said that her baby was still inside. Jessica and Katherine took out the screen and opened the window to his room, but furniture and clutter blocked the opening.

Learning that there were other people trapped inside the burning home, Brandon went to the back of the house and kicked down a door. Hearing a man’s voice, he told him to run toward the open door. Brandon and a police officer who had arrived helped a man to safety.

Thanks to efforts of these Good Samaritans, three people were rescued from the house fire that claimed the lives of 3-year-old Christian Young — the baby they tried to rescue — and 65-year-old Ronnie Walkup.

Both victims died of carbon dioxide toxicity, not injuries from the fire, said Shawnee Fire Marshall Corey Sands. An extension cord in the family room is thought to have started the fire.

“It’s amazing what these three individuals did,” Sands said. “They did a great job.”

Daale and the Humbles were recognized for their life-saving heroics at Tuesday’s Shawnee City Council meeting. Mayor Michelle Distler presented them with certificates of appreciation and thanked them.

They said they didn’t consider themselves heroes and were fortunate to be able to help.

“It’s the selfless acts of these three that show the true character and bravery of our citizens,” Distler said. “As tragic and heartbreaking as this was, it could have been worse.”

Sands said Thursday that one of the fire survivors, an elderly resident in her 90s, is still in the hospital, recovering from smoke inhalation. The other two fire survivors have been released.

Sands said residents reported hearing fire alarms when the fire broke out, but the elderly resident thought that the smoke was coming from burned food on the stove. She turned on the attic fan. The fan drew the fire and smoke toward the bedrooms.

Once the outside basement door was opened a wind tunnel was created through the home, Sands said. The attic fan drew in outside air and accelerated the fire. “Medical oxygen was also in use in the family room, causing the fire to grow rapidly,” he said.

Sands said the tragedy indicates the need for residents to have a fire safety plan and have clear and accessible exits in the event of an emergency. Both the front and back doors to the home were locked from the inside and required keys to open. “Most people can’t find the key in the event of a fire due to lack of visibility and confusion,” he said.

“Also, fire alarms should be checked regularly and any alarms older than 10 years should be replaced,” he said. “People should talk to their children and be sure to have a fire safety plan. And in the event of a fire everyone should get out of the house, stay out and dial 911. Never try to fight a fire yourself.”

Two fundraising efforts have been established to help with funeral expenses and assist survivors. About $3,000 has been raised to date.

They can be found at www. gofundme.com/babychristianyoung and www.gofundme.com/ronnie walkup.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Shawnee honors three for fire rescue efforts."