Children, neighbor receive medals after Connoquenessing fire
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.
McConnell shared the details about the night of the fatal fire.
“We were alerted to the fire and able to get it under control rather quickly,” he said.“ Then we learned the story that went with it.”
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.
Jefferey was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire.
Fire Chief Lou Zimmerman said he spent weeks mulling over how to honor the young heroes after hearing their story.
“It’s the first time we’ve gotten to do something like this,” he said.
Mika was presented with a necklace depicting St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, with an inscription to commemorate her bravery.
Tucker was given a medal inscribed with “exceptional bravery in the face of danger.”
McCue was given a Citizen’s Award in recognition for selfless and kind actions.
McCue said he was humbled to accept, but the real heroes were the Perez children and the firefighters who responded to the scene.
“This is all about these kids. These kids were smart enough to get out,” he said. “What (firefighters) did, it was in a blink of an eye. In seven minutes, they were on it. I did nothing compared to what these men and women do every time those garage doors open and they don’t know if they’re going to come back.”
Zimmerman said without the brave actions of Tucker and Mika, they may not have survived.
“As scary as the situation was at the time, Tucker mustered the courage and bravery to open up his bedroom door and lead his sister though the smoke-filled hallway and kitchen to safety and help,” he said. “This is quite an act of bravery for any adult, but even more so for a 10 year-old boy.”
He added that photographs taken of the house after the fire could prove a good example for other community members.
“Clearly, keeping their bedroom doors closed kept them away from the heat and the smoke,” he said of the Perez children. “We tell folks all the time to keep their doors closed for that reason.”
Zimmerman added that when a fire occurs and doors are left open, people could be overcome by the smoke.
Leah Perez, mother of Tucker and Mika, was not home at the time of the fire, and was amazed at her children’s story.
“I was speechless,” she said.
Leah decided to surprise her children by not telling them about the awards they were to receive.
“It’s pretty cool,” Tucker said of his medal.
“It’s very nice,” Mika said of her pendant.
When asked if they felt brave, both children gave a resounding “yes,” hugging each other.
“We knew we couldn’t go back in there,” Tucker said. “That’s why we went to (McCue).”
Zimmerman said he hopes people take away anyone can be a hero.
“Heroism doesn’t have an age limit,” he said. “Whether you’re young or old, everyday folks can step up and do the right thing.”
Leah said it was comforting seeing her children receive medals for their heroic actions.
“I know me and my husband raised our children right, to do the right thing,” she said.
