New Britain firefighters say a 9-year-old girl's quick thinking saved lives when her home went up in flames this weekend.
The multi-family home on Chestnut Street in New Britain is charred and black. The plastic siding is melted after a fire Sunday afternoon.
“At the time of the alarm there were three families in the home,” said Lt. Shane Burns of the New Britain Fire Department.
Firefighters said everyone made it out safely because of 9-year-old fourth grader Coryn Perry.
“Absolutely, she saved lives,” said Burns.
Perry was home at the time.
“I seen a whole bunch of smoke,” she said. “I smelled something burning.”
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She alerted her stepmother and her neighbors in order to get them out of the burning building.
Perry credits what she learned during a special lesson for knowing what to do.
“At my school-- the firemen came in to teach me how to do it,” she said.
“I am more than impressed with her actions,” said Burns. “It can’t be understated.”
“I’m very proud,” said Perry’s father, Jay Hal. “I’m happy that she’s paying attention at school.”
Firefighters say the cause of the fire in under investigation.
