Wayne Family's Swift Actions Saved Neighbors' Lives After House Caught Fire

WAYNE, NJ — A township family will be honored Wednesday for saving their neighbors' lives and the lives of their grandchildren when their house caught fire.

Amanda Fierro, 17, called 911 from her Farmstand Lane home shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday saying that the rear deck of the Degroots' house was "engulfed in flames," said Detective Capt. Laurence Martin.

Fierro's 11-year-old sister Amy saw the fire and told her about it, who told her parents, Michael and Laurie Fierro, Martin said.

Michael Fierro raced to the Degroots' home, pounded on the doors and rang the doorbell to alert them about the fire, the captain said. Robert and Ann Degroot were sleeping in the home, along with their two grandchildren and dog.

Michael Fierro was able to wake the family up and got them out of the house.

"As a result of the swift actions taken by the Fierro family, tragedy was averted, no one was injured, and the home was saved," Martin said.

The Fierro family will be honored during the council meeting in the council chambers Wednesday. The meeting begins at 8 p.m.

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