Community Corner
Residents Recognized For Heroic Acts During Apartment Fire In West Ames
The incident began at approximately 4 p.m. on Dec. 9, when passersby noticed smoke & flames coming from the outside of an apartment.
January 28, 2021
Mayor John Haila and the Ames City Council formally recognized three local residents for their role in helping others escape a west Ames apartment fire in December. Robert Dean, Nathaniel Ward, and Obai Elmustafa were honored at the Council meeting on Tuesday via Zoom for their heroic actions.
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Video of the event recorded by an Ames police officer on the scene captured the trio’s efforts. (View the video at https://youtu.be/s5H2GodGBmc or at www.CityOfAmes.org/Fire)
Fire Chief Rich Higgins explained during Tuesday’s meeting how the men were able to alert and rescue the second-floor occupants. The incident began at approximately 4 p.m. on Dec. 9, when passersby noticed smoke and flames coming from the outside of an apartment at 220 South Dakota Ave.
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“Multiple people saw and called 911 to report the fire. However, the three individuals being recognized decided to stop and make sure everyone was out of the building,” Higgins said. “With heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the structure blocking the only door out, Robert, Nathaniel and Obai started knocking on windows and yelling for the residents to get out.”
The first-floor resident heard the knocking and was able to escape through the flames to safety. Once they realized the only way out for second-story apartment occupants was through a window, the men found a ladder and devised a plan to get the two trapped people out safely. One occupant was able to jump to the waiting arms of the rescuers. The second occupant was rescued by using a step ladder to get on top of a nearby garage roof, and then used again to access the second-story window.
“The selfless acts of Robert, Nathaniel and Obai are heroic in every sense, and it is with great pleasure that we recognize them this evening and publicly thank them for their actions,” Higgins added.
The Ames Fire Department reminds residents to always know two ways out. Whether it’s a home, place of work, or a hotel, knowing two ways out will double any person’s chance of getting out safely during an emergency when every second counts.
This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.