FENTON TOWNSHIP -- A Fenton Township family is safe and sound after fire damaged their home two weeks ago.
When the smoke alarm went off as everyone slept the night of Nov. 3, five-year-old Lily Ondovcsik knew exactly what to do. She called for her parents, then stayed low to the ground, just as her family had practiced in their fire plan.
“I remembered it and I followed it," Lily said.
Lily had just learned about fire plans at school that week, and even went on a field trip to the Fenton fire department. No one knew it was going to be such a timely lesson.
"I hear her scream for dad, and I think it was fire,” Dustin Ondovcsik said. The family stayed with their next-door neighbors while firefighters put out the fire that Lily caught.
"My family got out very safe and everybody got out safe, no one when to the hospital,” Lily said.
Lily got a special bravery award from the fire department Tuesday in front of all her classmates.
Little sister, Sophie, stood right next to her and eagerly shared the story.
“She yelled fire!” Sophie said.
Mom and dad couldn't be prouder.
"The amazing thing is you never think it happens,” Ondovcsik said.
"You couldn't have written that story yourself,” Fenton firefighter Marshall Colley said. But it's a story with a happy ending that any family can repeat with a little preparation.
The Ondovcsiks are currently looking for a place to rent for the next 12 months. If you’d like to help, please contact Dustin Ondovcsik at 810-624-7821.
