ORLANDO, Fla. – An 11-year-old boy and his father — who’s in a wheelchair — escaped a house fire Thursday afternoon in Orlando, officials said.
The fire broke out at a home in the 3900 block of South Lake Orlando Parkway.
It was Charles Jackson, Jr.’s quick thinking that saved his and his father’s lives.
“I told my dad, ‘Dad! Dad! There’s a fire!’” Jackson, Jr. said.
His dad — Charles Jackson, Sr. — was in bed at the time.
“I am ultra proud of him because had it not been for him, smoke will overcome you quickly, and had he not had the wisdom to call his mom, call 911, come to me, I don’t know what would have happened,” Jackson, Sr. said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Orlando Fire Department District Chief Carl Chantigian said that when firefighters arrived, they found smoke coming from the front door. They went in and extinguished the fire in about 10 minutes.
Jackson, Jr. and his father were outside waiting in the backyard.
He described what he witnessed inside the house.
“I noticed the fire because I was, like, on my computer playing games, you know? And basically, I smelled something smoking in the kitchen, and then I looked into the kitchen, and I saw the pot was on fire,” Jackson, Jr. said.
Jackson, Sr. said that because she was in a hurry to pick up their daughter, his wife forgot food was cooking on the stove.
When his son saw the fire, he immediately alerted him.
“I’m limited in mobility because I’m ex-quadriplegic and paraplegic at this time,” Jackson said.
Jackson, Jr. escaped the house first. Then, his dad actually managed to walk out.
“It’s called adrenaline hit, survival mode, and I was able to get up on my own and go outside on my own and thanks be to God we’re here among the living,” Jackson said. “It was a blessing it was nothing but a blessing for him to be able to do what he did in that moment and he was calm.”
Chief Chantigian agreed that this could have been worse.
“If that child wasn’t there to alert them when he was and the fire would have extended more, it would have been very difficult to get someone in a wheelchair out of the house in a timely fashion,” Chief Chantigian said.
District Chief Chantigian said the fire was contained to the kitchen and extended toward the front. They are still investigating.
The family is being helped by the Red Cross and plans to use insurance for repairs.
No injuries were reported.
5 people were displaced and being put in touch with Red Cross, no transports reported. Traffic on S. Lake Orlando Pkwy is affected. https://t.co/8vrdpDhQjr pic.twitter.com/OK1A24WSWG
— Orlando Fire Dept (@OrlandoFireDept) August 15, 2024