A quick-thinking elementary-age child might have prevented their neighbor’s home on North Ash Street from burning down at the end of May. After the fire was reported at 11:46 a.m., firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.
According to a police report, the fire was ignited by smoldering embers from a fire pit, and damage was noted on the back deck and fire pit. The Cortez Police Department confirmed that the child’s alert had prevented further damage to the home.
Officer Karla Ross responded to the scene and commended the child for thinking and acting quickly, and presented gifts of badge stickers and a stuffed animal.
The child reportedly noticed the fire at the neighboring property and alerted an aunt, who called 911. The fire’s origin was traced to a smoldering fire pit left overnight. The home is being rented.
