Neighbors Honored for Alerting Family That House was on Fire

Janice Hart thought she heard a Harley Davidson motorcycle idling outside their home on Royal Fox Hunt Drive.

Hart thought it was strange that a motorcycle would idle for so long around 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 3.

“I’m speculating that when the gas leak started before it ignited there must’ve been a build up and there must’ve been a pop, a small explosion, and she heard that,” said Tom Hart, Janice’s husband. “She popped the shade up and I knew where the meter is, and I instantly knew, because there were flames all along the side of the house.  It went from the meter out and went up. It was large. It could’ve gone forever.”

The ignited gas line seen by the Harts was attached to Eileen and Dwight Burnson’s house, causing damage throughout the home. But thanks to the Harts’ quick action, the Burnsons, along with their son Eric, made it out safely.

Once she saw the flames, Janice Hart immediately called the Burnsons at home using her cell phone, while Tom called 911 from a landline, thinking the close address would help the Orland Fire Protection District get the location.

Janice’s call went to voicemail, but Eileen and Dwight Burnson heard the message.

“We knew by her tone not to fool around or question it, because at that point we couldn’t see or smell anything,” Eileen Burnson said. “And we left. It was by her tone. It meant business. We are very thankful that they recognized it.”

Eileen, Dwight and Eric ran out of the house just as firefighters and police were arriving.

“They were telling us to run, run, run, that it might blow up,” Eileen Burnson said. “Fortunately it didn’t.”

Right after calling 911, Tom Hart had crossed the yard to make sure they got Janice’s message.

“It was a little spooky because the gas meter is there by the back yard and it kind of narrows there, so I’m running trying to stay away from it, thinking the whole time ‘if it goes up now,’” Tom Hart said. “But you have to just go. I could never live with myself if I didn’t go because I was afraid and something happened.”

Help from the neighbors didn’t stop with the Harts’ alerts.

“Our whole neighborhood has taken care of us,” Eileen Burnson said. “Our neighbors brought my son shoes and a coat. We stayed with neighbors for about two-and-a-half weeks. Another neighbor was ground zero for meeting with people. It was cold and people were bringing food.”

About two weeks ago, the Burnsons moved from their neighbors to a townhome, where they will stay while their house is repaired. The village declared it uninhabitable, and the rehabilitation could take three to six months.

The Harts were given Citizen Life Saver awards from the Orland Fire Protection District at the Oct. 23 board meeting.

Eileen Brunson thanked the Harts at the meeting, describing them as “wonderful people.” She also thanked the district and Battalion Chief Dan Smith for preserving as much of their belongings as possible and “taking special care to examine the house thoroughly.”

Orland Fire Chief Ken Brucki also commended the Harts on making a difference in the fire.

“If it wasn’t for your actions in alerting neighbors, who knows what the outcome would be?” Brucki said to the Harts at the meeting.

Janice and Tom Hart were simply grateful to be in a position to help.

“Someone was on our side that day,” Janice Hart said. “We didn’t expect any thank yous. The best thank you is for them to get back with their lives and rebuild. That’s the biggest thing.”

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