10-Year-Old Honored For Saving Two Dogs From Sparta Fire

SPARTA, NJ — A Sparta ten year old was honored by the town council for helping save the lives of two dogs from a fire.

Patrick Dunn, a student at Helen Morgan Elementary School, was walking home from his bus stop when he saw a Hillside Road home on fire. He called 911 right away, "calmly and specifically" explaining to the dispatcher what was happening and where the home was, Sparta police said.

"Patrick Dunn’s actions allowed for the immediate response of the Sparta Police and Sparta Fire Departments to address this working fire and prevent it from becoming a full structure fire. Patrick’s quick actions aided in saving this residence and the two dogs within," the proclamation honoring him said.

The proclamation, issued by the town council, thanked Dunn for his actions.

No one else was home at the time of the fire, as Patch previously reported. Patrols extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher and the garden house, preventing major fire damage. The Sparta Fire Department extinguished the rest.

The fire was caused by a cigarette thrown from the second story of the window, police said, and was not suspicious.

You can read the full proclamation here:

"A proclamation recognizing Patrick Dunn, for contacting 911 and saving a residence along with two dogs from a fire.

Whereas, on April 13th, 2017, a house fire occurred at a residence on Hillside Drive in Sparta Township.

Whereas, Patrick Dunn, a 10 year old Helen Morgan student, was being dropped off from his bus on Hillside Trail.

Whereas, Patrick Dunn upon exiting his bus and beginning his walk home, noticed a residence on Hillside Road on fire. Patrick’s immediate instinct was to use his cell phone to report this fire using 911.

Whereas, Patrick Dunn calmly and specifically explained to the dispatcher who answered the 911 call what he was observing and the exact location of the fire.

Whereas, Patrick Dunn’s actions allowed for the immediate response of the Sparta Police and Sparta Fire Departments to address this working fire and prevent it from becoming a full structure fire. Patrick’s quick actions aided in saving this residence and the two dogs within.

Now, therefore, it is proclaimed by the Sparta Town Council with appreciation and gratitude to Patrick Dunn, for his actions taken on this day."

Image via Sparta Police Department

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.