Boy's quick thinking helps Lima family escape fire

11/25/2000

LIMA, O. - A family escaped its burning home without injury yesterday after an 11-year-old boy inside the house smelled smoke and awoke the other sleeping occupants.

Lima fire Chief Tony DePalma said the fire was reported shortly before midnight Thursday at 108 East Eighth St. in Lima. When firefighters arrived, homeowner Vivian Crisp and four of her family members were safely outside the dwelling. They told authorities Ms. Crisp's son, Aaron, a student at Whittier Elementary School, alerted them to the blaze.

The one-story house fire, which started from an electrical short from an extension cord to a space heater, caused $50,000 in damage. The home was a total loss.

The American Red Cross is housing the family at a local hotel.