Melville Teen, Mother Honored By Suffolk Legislator For Saving Neighbor From House Fire

MELVILLE, NY — Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly recently honored Melville residents Jovani Moss and Natechia Campbell-Moss for their heroic actions during a house fire in March that helped save the life of an elderly neighbor.

According to Donnelly’s office, the incident occurred on the morning of March 31, when Jovani Moss, a freshman at Half Hollow Hills High School East, was waiting at his bus stop and noticed flames coming from a nearby home belonging to an elderly resident.

Jovani immediately alerted his mother and called 911 to ensure emergency responders were notified, officials said.

Natechia Campbell-Moss then rushed to the home and repeatedly knocked on the door and rang the bell in an attempt to alert the homeowner. After receiving no response, she forced open the door and entered the residence despite intense heat and dangerous conditions, according to the legislator’s office.

Officials said she located the disoriented resident inside the home and guided her safely out of the house.

“As a firefighter and EMT, I know every second matters in an emergency,” Donnelly said. “Jovani and Natechia remained calm, acted decisively and demonstrated tremendous courage in a moment when it was truly needed and those instincts and actions directly contributed to a life-saving outcome.”

Jovani Moss and Natechia Campbell-Moss were formally recognized during the April 21 general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge, where Donnelly presented the pair with proclamations honoring their bravery and quick thinking.

“Their willingness to step forward and help a neighbor in need reflects the very best of our community, and it was an honor to recognize and thank them before the Legislature,” Donelly said.