Minooka Boy Saves Family from Potential Fire

Jake DiLorenzo, 7, second grader at Minooka Elementary School

Jake DiLorenzo is a very intelligent boy. He completes all his homework and gets very good grades. His parents Dave and Melinda are very proud of his accomplishments in school. 

In fact, he even does homework that revolves around fire safety. 

If it wasn’t for creating a fire escape plan and practicing fire safety drills every month at home, the future for the DiLorenzo family may have been in a terrible situation.

Back in January, when Jake was in first grade at Aux Sable Elementary, he and his younger sister Samantha had just finished taking their baths. They were donned in their pajamas and were watching T.V. while their parents were tending to their baby brother Dominic.

“I was on the landing looking down stairs and I noticed an electrical smoke smell,” said Dave DiLorenzo. “It smelled like burnt plastic.”

After a few minutes of sniffing around, Dave said his son was certain that the smell was coming from the refrigerator. Quickly, the downstairs was a haze of smoke. 

Despite the cold winter weather, Dave opened the windows to let the smoke escape. It did. But the smoke quickly built up again when the windows were closed.

Since the DiLorenzo Family was not positive what was causing the smoke and terrible smell, Dave played it safe and called 911.

In the meantime, Jake grabbed his shoes and coat and immediately helped his sister bundle up in her coat and put on her snow boots. Jake than escorted his sister to the family’s emergency meeting spot in the yard. Dave, Melinda and Dominic followed.

Samantha was a little frightened, and if Jake was, he did not show it.

“He was as cool as a cucumber,” Dave DiLorenzo said.

How did Jake know what to do in this emergency situation?

Schools in the Channahon and Minooka Fire Protection Districts are visited once a month by Cindy Wilson, fire and safety education coordinator. Wilson teaches first and second graders what do in emergency situations. She issues homework that includes making a fire escape plan and recording how long it takes to leave the home.

“Because of the fire homework, he knew what to do,” Dave said. “The fact that the fire department takes time to show this to children is important. As a family we conduct a practice drill every month.”

Eventually, the Minooka Fire Department arrived to the DiLorenzo home and found that Jake’s prediction to the cause of the fire was correct. It was an electrical issue with the refrigerator compressor.

Fortunately, there was no damage to the the home or any injuries to the DiLorenzo Family.

For his bravery, Jake was awarded a total of three certificates. 

During the monthly meeting of the Minooka Fire Protect District, on August 3, Jake was presented with a Certificate of Commendation from the National Fire Protection Association. He was honored recently at the Village of Minooka Board meeting and during an award ceremony at the Minooka fire house.

“I’m very proud that I received these awards,” said Jake.

Despite his courageous efforts, Jake is still a kid and enjoys doing things many fun things. Playing left field for his baseball team and swimming are two of his favorite activities.

Jake also likes to play football with his friends. Actually, he would like to be a professional football player like his favorites; wide receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings; both of the Green Bay Packers and Calvin Johnson, of the Detroit Lions.

“I’m the fastest,” Jake said. “I keep running and they can’t catch me.”

If he can’t be a professional football player, Jake said he wants to be an art teacher. He likes to draw sport-related pictures.

Wrestling is another sport Jake likes. He enjoys watching Sean Michaels, Sting and the Ultimate Warrior.

Jake and his friends also like to play exterminator; an outside game of catching bugs. Recently, Jake and his friends caught a flying praying mantis. His love for animals extends to his pet guinea pig named Pluto.

During family time, Jake enjoys and occasional dinner at Red Lobster. He also likes to listen to his favorite band; Bon Jovi. His dad burned him a CD with all the band’s songs. 

Jake is a huge fan. He listens to it every night before he goes to bed.