Seton Hall Fire Survivors Share Their Story In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ - A story of survival and safety was shared with Summit seniors during the After the Fire presentation at Summit High School on Thursday, May 24.

The Summit Fire Department, Summit High School and Shaping Summit Together to brought the assembly to the students, many of which will be living in a dorm for the first time in the fall.

After the Fire details the early morning hours of January 19, 2000, when the lives of thousands were changed as a result of a dorm fire. On the campus of Seton Hall University in South Orange, while most of the more than 600 freshman slept, an arson fire was started in the 3rd floor lounge of the six-story freshmen residence hall, Boland Hall.

As the fire alarms wailed, most students thought it was just another false fire alarm, like the 30 or more false alarms that sounded the semester before. No one had any idea that there was a real fire, let alone where the fire was or how to get out of harms way.

Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, 18-year-old roommates at the time, shared their story of survival, perseverance, inspiration, hope, courage and friendship. They inspire to motivate students and professionals that life will give you many obstacles.

"It's how you overcome those obstacles by drawing strength, knowledge and motivation from those around you," they said.

With these tools in life's endeavors they prove that there is life "After the Fire."

In addition, Summit Fire Department was on hand with Deputy Chief Donald Nelson addressing the seniors with a fire safety talk as they head off to college and need to be mindful of living in the dorms, attending concerts, and visiting unfamiliar places.

Evers developed a Campus Safety flyer including fire safety tips for our seniors which was sent to all parents.

The program was funded by Shaping Summit Together.

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