NJ Youth Hailed As ‘Hero’ After He Saves Family From Fire

NEWARK, NJ — It was December, two weeks before Delaney Deleon’s birthday, when his family’s home burned down. But despite his fear, the Newark teen helped his brother and baby cousin escape from the flames — and is now being hailed as a “hero.”

Deleon, who has since turned 13, has been credited with saving his family from the house fire. Luckily, nobody was injured in the blaze, which struck around 7:45 p.m. at 678 Highland Ave. and soon extended to a nearby residence at 680 Highland Ave., the Newark Department of Public Safety said.

The damage was severe. In all, five families — 16 adults and four children, including Deleon — had to relocate. Many, including the Deleon family, lost everything they owned.

Deleon said he was “scared” when his younger brother smelled smoke, prompting him to walk into a bedroom, where he saw flames climbing the wall. But remembering fire safety talks he’d had with his mother, the youth fought through that fear, authorities said.

First, Deleon told his 7-year-old brother to get their 1-year-old cousin out of the two-family home. He followed quickly behind them, alerting their next-door neighbor about the fire on the way.

His mother, Kirsy, who was at work at the time, said she left the boys with her brother, who had briefly gone to the corner store when the fire broke out. But the lessons she taught her son gave him the knowledge and confidence he needed to make a difference that day.

“I’m raising a good guy,” she said. “We talk about fire safety. Everything else you can buy afterward. The most important thing is your life. They did a great job and I’m very proud.”

Local public safety workers haven’t forgotten Deleon’s actions that day. Earlier this week, a group of police officers and firefighters paid the family a surprise visit, showering Delaney and his brother, Josias, with clothing and gifts to help their mother rebuild their lives.

They also brought a cake and balloons for a belated birthday celebration.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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