Seton Hall Students, Fire Survivors Share Story

By ALEXIS TARRAZI (Patch Staff)

Two New Jersey burn survivors showed Hillsborough seniors firsthand the importance of fire safety.

Roselle residents and former Seton Hall University students Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons presented “After the Fire” on April 25.

The presentation talks about the aftermath of both men surviving the Seton Hall University dormitory fire in 2000 where three students were killed from a drunken prank made by two fellow students.

Trying to escape the fire, both endured burns on their bodies. Simons suffered first and second degree burns to his head and face, bringing his percentage of body burned to 16% and an insurmountable amount of smoke inhalation.

Alvaro received burns to 56% of his body including third degree burns from his head to his torso.

Both survived but not before being scarred for life -- physically and emotionally.

Turning their experience into something positive, Llanos and Simons have been traveling to colleges across the country over the past 10 years educating students about fire safety. Recently they have branched out to high schools.

“I never imagined ever, that I would have the ability to talk to tens of thousands of young adults especially about something I never imagined would happen to me,” Simons told Patch. “In hindsight I am happy to be able to share our story with those individuals at 18 years old. Most kids at that age think they are invincible and indestructible and nothing like this could happen to them, just like I was at that age. But it was an awakening. To be able to educate students about fire safety awareness is great.”

The two-hour presentation covers not only fire safety but overcoming adversity, the experience of bring burned and what it’s like to go through the St. Baranabas Burn Center.

“I talk about learning to be comfortable in your own skin because the scars don’t go away, they will always be there. Learning to be comfortable in a newly burned skin,” Simons said. “No matter what happens, if you think you have imperfections on the outside it’s about what happens on the inside.”

Simons and Llanos also talk about the consequences of the actions from the two men who set the fire.

“The fire not only changed our lives and those who lost their lives, but also the guys who set the fire, they went to jail,” Simons said. “There are so many different topics we can discuss in high school. This is not your normal fire safety presentation.”

Because of their work to spread fire awareness a documentary was made in 2011 called "After the Fire: A True Story of Heroes and Cowards.”

Simons and Llanos will also be the recipients of the 2016 Many Are One Seton Hall University Alumni Humanitarian Award. They will receive the award at a Black-Tie Gala on June 10.

Their next local presentation will be at Cranford High School on Monday, June 6.

To learn more about Simons and Llanos, to find out where they will be speaking next, or to book them visitwww.alvaroandshawn.com.

Watch the trailer of the documentary below:

(Photos provided)