Burn Survivors Share Their Stories At Howell High School

HOWELL, NJ — Two Seton Hall University fire survivors spoke to students at Howell High School about their inspiring survival stories.

Freshmen roommates Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos were among the most severely burned survivors after an arsonist set fire to a freshman dorm at Seton Hall University in early 2000, killing three students and injuring 58 others.

Llanos received 3rd-degree burns on more than half of his body during the fire at Seton Hall University- Bolan Hall. Simons suffered 2nd and 3rd-degree burns as well as severe smoke inhalation.

Since the incident, both Simons and Llanos have become advocates for fire safety, spreading the important messages about fire prevention and what to do in the event of a fire.

Every year, the Howell Township Fire Department, in collaboration with the Howell Alliance, gives this powerful presentation to the senior class before they graduate and head off to college.

This year the presentation fell on Monday, April 11. “It is by far one of the most influential and moving presentations out there for youth,” said Christa Riddle, the Howell Alliance coordinator.

Their presentation emphasizes the significance of situational awareness, positive decision-making, consequences consideration and resilience.

“Presenting 'After the Fire' at Howell High School after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic was really refreshing and rejuvenating,” said Simons. “With the number of questions asked and the amount of students who came to the front of the auditorium to shake our hands or to purchase books or just to say thank you makes it all worthwhile.”

Simons and Llanos' inspirational story was adapted into a film titled “After The Fire: A True Story of Heroes and Cowards.”

“Rarely does a story come along that rattles and shakes you to the core and at the same time celebrates the power of the human spirit in such a memorable and gripping way. It is the story of healing emotionally, physically and spiritually, and how communities come together in times of tragedy,” said the film's website.

“Our mission is simply to show young adults that fire has no prejudice. It can happen to anyone and in any place,” said Simons.