Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Two Mentone Elementary School students credited with saving the lives of three people in February were recognized this morning at a special school assembly.
Only a handful of people knew that Brandon Conley, 10, a third-grader, and Rick Emmons, 10, a fourth-grader, were going to be honored by the Atwood Fire Department and the Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Atwood Fire Dept. Chief Mike Harmon said it was on the evening of Valentine's Day when a trailer at West Haven Estates caught fire. While the mother at that residence was away at work, the father had put chicken on the stove but fell asleep. The grease caught fire. Two children, about 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 years old, also were in the house.
Conley and Emmons were playing outside when they noticed the smoke. While Conley went and called 9-1-1, Emmons banged on the house to wake up the occupants. "These boys did a real quick (job) of thinking," Harmon told the school assembly.
When the father at that residence attempted to put out the grease fire with water, he ended up burning himself and receiving second- and third-degree burns. Had the two boys not took the actions they did, however, Harmon said lives might have been lost.
Harmon presented each of the boys with a plaque and gift certificates. Larry Peppel, Kosciusko County Chapter of the American Red Cross executive director, also presented the boys with a plaque. Peppel said what firemen do is important work. "What you young folks did was wonderful, too," he told Conley and Emmons. The plaque was for outstanding bravery and their quick response which saved lives. "You have demonstrated that by working together, we can save a life."
Mentone Principal Catherine Miller told the school that Conley and Emmons are heroes because they unselfishly saved lives.
"We are so proud of them, we can hardly stand it," she said before leading the school in three cheers for the young boys.
Brandon Conley is the son of Karen Conley, Warsaw, and Michael Conley, Pierceton. Rick Emmons is the son of Kevin and Kathy Emmons, Warsaw.
Harmon said, "As far as I am concerned, these boys saved three lives."
Every fire department in Kosciusko County has free smoke detectors for any home that doesn't have one. The fire department also can install them. Contact a local fire department to receive one.
