A Castlegar teen has been recognized by the city and nominated for a fire commissioner鈥檚 commendation after his actions potentially saved two lives on Sept. 12.
Liam Harder was awakened in the early morning hours by a
He got up, saw a small fire at the house across the street and another small fire near a vehicle parked at the residence.
Harder woke up his father and told him to call 911 before grabbing a fire extinguisher and rushing towards the fires.
He was able to extinguish them quickly.
鈥淭hat evening, Liam鈥檚 actions undoubtedly reduced property damage to his neighbour鈥檚 home and potentially saved the lives of the father and young son who were sleeping inside,鈥� said Castlegar Fire Chief Sam Lattanzio at a ceremony to recognize Harder鈥檚 actions during city council鈥檚 Oct. 23 meeting.
鈥淟iam鈥檚 actions prevented a more serious outcome.鈥�
Lattanzio has nominated Harder for a Certificate of Accommodation from the Fire Commissioner鈥檚 Office.
Castlegar RCMP Const. Scott Ross also praised Harder at the meeting.
鈥淚n my job I often see how small actions that appear to be inconsequential can lead to big things. Liam Harder鈥檚 actions on Sept. 12 of this year are no different.鈥�
He also credited the teen for potentially saving a home and the lives inside.
鈥淚t all started from just getting up when he heard a sound and looking out a window,鈥� added Ross.
鈥淚 personally thank Liam for his diligence and courage in responding to those fires. 鈥� His actions are remarkable and heroic. I also thank him for that small act of getting out of bed at night and looking out his window. 鈥� He did something most of us would just ignore and go back to sleep over.鈥�
Mayor Maria McFaddin said, 鈥淚t is members of the community like you who choose to look beyond themselves that create a place where people want to live.
鈥淲e are very thankful for your actions and they will become contagious 鈥� people will hear your story and they will be more inclined next time when they see something small to actually react and do something.鈥�
READ MORE:
鈥�
鈥�
