(Jamaica Gleaner) A four-year-old boy braved scorching heat to run into a burning house and rescue his ailing 88-year-old grandfather in Annotto Bay on Thursday night, drawing whoops of praise from family members and residents.
Asha Dunn, who suffered burns to his left shoulder, arm, fingers, and back, is recovering and responding to treatment at hospital, after saving the life of Isaac Sutherland.
The four-year-old’s jaw-dropping courage still has the district of Crooked River in awe.
“He had only one thing in mind, and that was just to get his grandfather from the fire,” said Dr Norman Dunn, member of parliament for South East St Mary in which the town is located.
“It is unbelievable that a child of his age, having seen the danger and witnessed the intense heat, was willing to sacrifice himself just to get his beloved relative to safety. It is really a heroic act, and in all my life, I have never heard of or witnessed such bravery, especially one that involves a small child.”
Dr Dunn is not related to Asha.
Seven persons resided at the four-bedroom house: a 14-year-old boy, sisters aged 24 and 26, a one-year-old, Asha, Sutherland, and the homeowner.
The political representative said plans were being put in place to provide the family with assistance.
The fire, which started before 6 p.m. on Thursday, gutted the house as well as an adjoining room constructed out of board.
Four beds, electric fans, flat-screen TVs, a living room suite, two refrigerators, and other appliances and possessions were lost in the blaze.
“It is like a nightmare. I just can’t believe that I have lost my home,” said Eva Sutherland, owner of the house, during a telephone interview.
“Only my 88-year-old father was at home, along with my one-year-old grandchild at the time of the fire. … When I got there, because I was about a mile away, I had to hold my head. Mi jus couldn’t believe. My grandchild only wanted to make sure that his grandpa was safe. I am so proud of him.
“Him neva worried about getting burn. Him jus want to know that him grandfather was safe. Mi don’t even have clothes to wear and wi nuh have nuh food. Anybody that can assist, we will be forever grateful.”
Since the fire, the burnt-out victims (family members) have been staying with neighbours.
The cause of the blaze is still unknown and firefighters have not yet determined the value of the losses.