By ASHLEY SAARI
A local boy was once again honored for his literal composure under fire on Wednesday.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal J. William Degnan recognized Isaiah Blais, 9, of New Ipswich with the State Fire Marshal’s Award of Excellence in Fire and Life Safety, as part of a new award program that awards New Hampshire students who do an outstanding act in the area of fire and life safety that benefits the lives and wellbeing of those around them.
Isaiah was already similarly recognized by New Ipswich’s own Fire Department after a fire destroyed his home on May 25. Just before 4 a.m., Isaiah was awakened by his homes fire alarms and the smell of smoke, with flames already visible coming from the garage below the bedroom that Isaiah shared with his younger brother, Elijah.
Instantly, Blais put his acquired fire and life safety education and family’s escape plan immediately into action by waking his brother and meeting his parents at the front door where they proceeded to exit the home.
Shortly upon the arrival of the first fire engine, the floor on the side of the house above the garage – including the children’s bedroom – collapsed.
New Ipswich Fire Chief Meredith Lund recommends having a fire safety plan in place, including what to do during a fire and a family meeting place outside the home, and to practice it with young children multiple times a year.
The Red Cross currently has a program to provide and install smoke alarms free of charge for homes without them. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/local/new-hampshire-vermont/in-home-smoke-alarm.