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Springfield Teen Lauded For Reaction To House Fire

Fire officials are crediting a 13-year-old Springfield boy with helping nine other people escape their burning home.

Fire Capt. Michael Richard says Demetrious Hutchins relied on the fire safety training he received in school to rouse those sleeping inside the two-family home owned by his father and see that they all got outside safely at about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Hutchins was awakened by a fire alarm and the smell of smoke inside the home.

Richard tells The Republican the boy ensured that all the residents gathered at a pre-determined meeting place, a tree in the yard.

The blaze was fully involved when firefighters arrived on the scene and appears to have started in the first-floor living room.

No cause has been determined.

This program aired on September 14, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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