Scott McCue hugs Mika Perez, 7, and her brother Tucker, 10, in a ceremony Tuesday honoring the three at Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Department. Mika and Tucker escaped a late night house fire in February that claimed the life of their father, Jeffery Perez Jr. McCue tried to rescue Perez but was unable to enter the engulfed building. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

CONNOQUENESSING — On the morning of Feb. 27, two siblings became aware of a fire in their home, stuck together and helped each other escape.

On Tuesday evening, Tucker and Mika Perez held hands as they were recognized for the bravery they showed that day by Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company.

Friends and family packed into the Connoquenessing VFC fire hall for the ceremony honoring the children and their neighbor, Scott McCue, who was honored for ensuring the children were safe before the fire department’s arrival.

“We never had the opportunity to do anything like this,” said Capt. Matt McConnell on the ceremony.

Around 1:18 a.m. on Feb. 27, 7-year-old Mika awoke to the smell of smoke. She immediately alerted her 10-year-old brother Tucker by going into his room.

“Tucker found goggles and tried to find a mask for his sister when getting out,” McConnell said. “They made their way out of the residence to (McCue’s) house.”

McCue immediately called 911, and according to McConnell, tried to go back into the residence to save Jefferey Perez Jr., the children’s father, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire Chief Lou Zimmerman said he spent weeks mulling over how to honor the young heroes after hearing their story.

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