On Tuesday morning, a house fire broke out in Indiana and a 14-year-old teenager came to the rescue by saving her family.
On Tuesday, June 4, Zoey Jasso earned the title of a hero when she aided her loved ones in escaping a fire that broke out inside their home located on the 200 block of Level Street in Charlestown around 10 a.m.
WLKY reported that Zoey’s escape from the burning flames started when she woke up to a “sweet scent” and the sound of a fire alarm.
During an interview with the news station, she described the orange color she saw as similar to an orange light. Upon turning on her flashlight, she noticed the room filling up with smoke.
Upon waking her twin sister, they hurried to the adjacent room where their 3-year-old twin cousins and their father were resting.
Zoey recounted the moment she shouted, “I think there’s a fire,” and how quickly everyone woke up and evacuated the building.
According to WDRB, the family of five, along with their furry companion, managed to evacuate their home in less than a minute. Firefighters arrived at the scene approximately four minutes later.
We have contacted the Charlestown Fire Department for their statement on the matter.
When the fire broke out, Zoey’s great aunt Sandy Huff, who also resides in the house, was away at work.
Zoey’s family is facing a devastating loss as their rental home was consumed by fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but according to WDRB, the family believes that the house is a “total loss.” Despite having insurance for the property, the family is currently staying with relatives as they contemplate their next steps.
After the fire incident, Zoey was honored by the Charlestown Board of Public Works. She was awarded a City of Charlestown challenge coin and a Certificate of Appreciation for her heroic actions.
According to an official Facebook post by the city of Charlestown, Mayor Treva Hodges stated during a presentation that Zoey was able to detect the smell of smoke and respond quickly without panicking. She alerted the other residents in the building and ensured that everyone in danger was able to evacuate safely.