10-year-old Grant County girl honored for quick-thinking actions during house fire

GRANT COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — A 10-year-old Swayzee girl was honored by her local fire department Monday night after her resourceful efforts to notify emergency crews about a fire in her home. 

The fire happened on December 5, 2018. The Swayzee Fire Department said Amelia Mauldon came home from school with her little brother and found smoke rolling out of the front door.

Amelia then took her brother to the family’s camper and wrapped him in a blanket and then used her school-provided Chrome book to contact friends asking them to call 911, because her phone was inside the home. 

Firefighters said when they arrived at the home, the flames were extinguished. They believe the fire was started by an artificial Christmas tree, but a nearby 50 gallon fish tank burst and put the fire out. 

Monday night, the Swayzee Fire Department gave Amelia a plaque for her quick-thinking actions, a t-shirt, and took her for a ride on a fire truck. 

Amelia’s mother posted on Facebook, “I’m so proud of her!! And please talk to your kids today about fire safety.”