‘Brave’ 12-year-old girl honored for alerting neighbors to apartment fire in North Vancouver – BC
A 12-year-old girl from North Vancouver was honored on Friday for her quick-wittedness when a fire broke out in her apartment building earlier this week.
Paryas Rezaei woke up to the sound of fire alarms on December 27 and immediately sprang into action.
She called 911, then ran down the hall with her parents, knocking on doors to wake up their neighbors, saying they had to leave immediately.
« My parents mostly encouraged me to do it, » Rezaei told Global News. « But I would have done it anyway. »
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North Vancouver apartment fire sends two to hospital
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North Vancouver apartment fire sends two to hospital
The flames broke out in a third-floor unit of the building on Marine Drive near Lower Capilano Road around 4:15 a.m.
The three North Shore fire departments responded to the fire.
Two people were taken to hospital and a firefighter was slightly injured. The cause of the fire is not considered suspicious.
Rezaei said his father also tried to return to the building at one point to make sure everyone was safe, but the smoke was too thick.
She said the experience of being honored for her actions was very exciting.
« At the time, I didn’t even think about it, » she added.
North Vancouver District Fire Chief Brian Hutchinson told reporters on Friday that 34 residents of the building were still unable to return home.
« But I think there are positives that are worth mentioning, » Hutchinson said.
“Their immediate neighbors…reported that Paryas probably saved their lives. And I think the actions of the whole family probably impacted the whole floor.
She received a Certificate of Commendation from the Fire Marshals, awarded to an individual who makes an outstanding contribution to fire safety in the province.
“I think it’s important to remember that it takes a lot of skill and a lot of confidence to get into a situation that a lot of others would hesitate to,” added Hutchinson.
District Mayor Mike Little was also present at the event and said Rezaei was very brave for what she did.
« Thank you for taking care of your neighborhood and making sure everyone was okay, » Little said.
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