Graham fire chief Tommy Cole and the Graham’s city council applauded the bravery of two young men Tuesday night who were the “first responders,” of a sort, when they passed a house on their way home early on the morning of November 29 last year.
Fire was coming from the residence at 719 Williamsdale Road around 6:25 a.m. and they noticed a vehicle in the driveway, indicating someone might be home.
They stopped and repeatedly knocked on the door until they were able to awaken the woman resident who was asleep at the time and get her out of the house, the fire chief described this week, before fire trucks arrived on the scene.
The fire department had previously praised the two men’s actions. “[They] stopped to alert the residents,” the department went on to note in a statement later in the day after the morning fire, “and the lone resident was able to escape the fire without injury. There is no doubt that the heroic actions of these young men saved a life in Graham today.”
This week, chief Cole reiterated his praise for the two men, Andrew Heath and Omar Utley.
“Had they not taken immediate action to alert the occupant, [she] would likely have succumbed to smoke inhalation before emergency responders arrived on scene. Their actions exemplify the importance of community awareness and the critical role citizens can play in emergencies.”
In a commemoration this week, Cole said that the Graham Fire Department commends Mr. Heath and Mr. Utley for their quick thinking, selfless actions, and commitment to the safety of others.
See earlier story here: https://alamancenews.com/passers-by-alert-resident-to-evacuate-burning-home-ahead-of-fire-departments-arrival/
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