First responders return to site of fatal blaze to teach kids safety
After a vehicle fire claimed the lives of two children earlier this month, Las Vegas Valley first responders did what they do best — respond.
Firefighters and police officers went a second time to the Arcadia Palms Apartments on Thursday, but this time it was to educate. They talked to about 25 children about preventing fires.
The neighborhood kids, all 6 to 10 years old, crowded inside Clark County Fire Department’s “Safety House on Wheels” to learn fire safety techniques, including stop, drop and roll.
What do you do when you hear “beep, beep, beep?” the firefighters asked the excited boys and girls.
“Stop, drop and roll,” they shouted in response.
Controlled smoke came pouring into the cramped trailer and the demonstrators waited for the kids’ response.
“We gotta go out the window,” immediately echoed through the room.
Covering their eyes and mouths, one-by-one the children came jumping out to safety.
Jermiaya Thomas, 3, and Kendricik Jerome Chism, 1, were not able to escape a fire that was started in a minivan they were playing in April 4 at the same southeast valley complex, 3655 Sahara Avenue.
The fire, ruled accidental, killed Thomas and Chism.
Contact Kimberly De La Cruz at kdelacruz@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @KimberlyinLV.
