Burke County family receives hero awards for actions during fire

Nov. 15--A Burke County family received citizen hero awards at the Burke County Commission meeting Tuesday for rescuing an elderly woman during a house fire in October.

Burke EMA Chief Rusty Sanders and Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams presented the awards to Jennifer Greeley, Brooke Greeley, Justin Greeley and Graysen Greeley. Commission Chairman Allen DeLaige also thanked each family member on behalf of the commission for their heroic actions.

According to the sheriff's office, firefighters responded to a fire on Chris and Jerry Drive. At the scene, several rounds of ammo discharged from inside the house during the fire. The homeowners were saved due to the actions by the Greeley family.

Brooke, 8, was playing in the yard when she heard an elderly woman screaming for help from the house. When Brooke saw the house on fire, she notified her mother, Jennifer, who called 911. Jennifer and Graysen, 15, quickly went towards the fire and helped clear a path for the woman, who was stuck on the front porch.

The woman said her dogs were still in the house, according to the sheriff's office. Justin, 17, tried to go into the house to save the animals, but wasn't able to do so. Graysen tried to call for the dogs from the door, but the fire began to spread and the ammunition inside began to go off. The Burke EMA Fire/Rescue arrived shortly after.

The homeowners did not have insurance and a Go Fund Me page has been set up to provide assistance. Click here to donate.

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