WASHINGTON, Ill. – An 18-year-old helped evacuate residents from a burning assisted living facility in Washington Saturday night.
Logan Makiney was driving his girlfriend home around 9:30 p.m. Saturday when he spotted what he initially thought was a bonfire near the Chapters of Living Assisted Living facility. When he pulled in to investigate, he realized the building was on fire.
He called 911 and then made a split-second decision to run inside.
“I just kind of parked my car right out front and just opened the door and ran in,” Makiney told WMBD Radio’s “Greg and Dan Show.” “I was just trying to see if I could get anyone out, just get everyone up, just see who I could save.”
Unfamiliar with the building’s layout, Makiney ran through the hallways screaming to alert residents.
“I just started screaming ‘Fire!’ Everyone needs to get up and get out,” he said.
Some residents were reluctant to leave, wanting to grab phones or personal belongings. Makiney said he helped them put their shoes on, guided them by the arm, and walked them to the door, where his girlfriend helped escort them across the street.
“I would get them to the door and she’d help them across the street,” he said.
Washington firefighters arrived within minutes, with the fire station located less than half a mile away. When firefighters arrived, they told Makiney that he had done everything he could and directed him to leave the building.
Makiney noted the smoke was already getting heavy inside by the time firefighters took over.
No one was seriously injured in the fire.
Makiney said his father had mixed emotions about his son’s actions.
“My dad was like, ‘I’m proud of you, but what were you thinking running into a burning building?'” Makiney said.
“I’m just glad I was there,” he said.
Makiney said the experience has him considering volunteering with the fire department in the future.
Comments