Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Teen Averts Disaster By Dialing 911

   A young Ethridge teenager averted potential disaster Monday afternoon by placing a 911 call after another youngster had inadvertently started a fire.

   Officials indicate the fire was ignited around 3:30 Monday afternoon in a fence row between the Ethridge Civic Club and the playground area of Ethridge Elementary School, by a youngster who was allegedly playing with a cigarette lighter he had found.

   Firefighters indicate the blaze quickly burned leaves collected in the fence line, heading toward the school’s playground and baseball field. The wind, officials said, contributed greatly to the speed at which the fire was traveling.

   Two youngsters who were also in the area quickly sprang into action. One, fourteen-year-old Jason Olson, placed a 911 call while Nathaniel Cunningham ran to fetch adult help.

   Firefighter Brian Green said thanks to the quick actions, the fire was quickly extinguished without any significant monetary damage.