Indiana Teen Hailed as Hero for Saving Family in House Fire
The Charlestown Board of Public Works presented Zoey Jasso with a City of Charlestown challenge coin and a Certificate of Appreciation for heroic actions
WDRB/Youtube
Zoey Jasso inside the remains of her homeA 14-year-old teen in Indiana saved her family from a devasting house fire on Tuesday morning.
Zoey Jasso has been hailed as a hero after helping her loved ones escape a fire inside their home on the 200 block of Level Street in Charlestown around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4.
According to WLKY, the escape from the burning flames began after Zoey woke up after smelling a "sweet sent" and hearing a fire alarm go off.
"I'd seen orange like it was like an orange light. And so I turned on my flashlight, and I'd seen the smoke fill up the room," she told the new station.
After she woke up her twin sister, who was sleeping in the same room, the two immediately rushed to the other room where their 3-year-old twin cousins and their dad were sleeping.
"I yelled, 'I think there's a fire,' and then everyone just woke up immediately, and then they all got out," said Zoey.
The five family members, including their dog, were out in less than a minute, and fire crews arrived about four minutes later, reports WDRB.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Charlestown Fire Department for comment.
Sandy Huff, Zoey's great aunt who also lives in the home, was at work when the fire started.
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She told WDRB she is "thankful we have our village to support us. Our family is, when something happens they're there."
Although the cause of the fire is not yet known, Zoey's family believes that their home, which was rental, is a "total loss," according to WDRB. The family had insurance for the home, but they are currently staying with loved ones until they figure out their next steps.
"It is a little scary because it was right next to me. And I was just thinking, 'What if I stayed in the room a little bit longer? What would have happened?' It is very scary to look at this and see I was almost in that," Zoey told the news station.
Following the fire, the Charlestown Board of Public Works presented Zoey with a City of Charlestown challenge coin and a Certificate of Appreciation for heroic actions.
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"Mayor Treva Hodges explained during the presentation that Zoey awoke to the smell of smoke and because of her quick thinking and action; without panic, she awoke other occupants of the dwelling to help ensure everyone in danger made it out safely," the city of Charlestown shared on its official Facebook page.
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