St. Charles Boy Helped Save Neighbors From Fire

ST. CHARLES, IL – "You can replace stuff, but you can't replace people." That is what a 7-year-old boy had to say regarding his reason for rushing into a neighboring duplex that was on fire near St. Charles last month and alerting the family inside to the blaze, according to the Daily Herald. No one was injured in the blaze, and local fire officials are crediting Shaun Mielke for his quick actions in helping to prevent a dangerous situation from becoming much worse.

The blaze was reported on Nov. 8. Shaun Mielke and his mom were working on Shaun’s homework when they started to smell smoke, and realized the fire was likely coming from the unit adjacent to their duplex, according to the Daily Herald. Ashley Mielke called 911 and thought her son had ran outside to a safe spot.

Little did she know he had actually pushed his way into the duplex, according to the article. He yelled for his neighbors – a mom and her three children – to get out.

Now, Shaun is being lauded as a hero. The Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District firefighters acknowledged their appreciation for Shaun during a recent meeting where the Clinton Elementary School student received a life safety award.

The fire likely started from an electrical fire in the exhaust fan in the attic, fire officials told Mielke’s family.

Following the blaze, a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for Ashley, Shaun and their family. They do not have renter’s insurance. They are also in need of warm meals, clothes and more, Ashley’s sister wrote on the GoFundMe page.

As of Monday afternoon, $730 has been raised for the family. Those wishing to donate can do so here.

More via the Daily Herald and GoFundMe

PHOTO CAPTION: Shaun Mielke received a life-saving award last month from the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District . PHOTO CREDIT: GoFundMe