Essa recognizes four youths for heroism
by Richard Blanchard

Essa council gave special recognition to four Angus youths who helped saved two people from a house fire last May.

Becky Simms, and Tyler Kononiuk, Aaron Seamans and Holli-Ann Pitcher were recognized by council at a special meeting last Wednesday night at the township municipal offices.

On May 6, the four teenagers drove by a home on Centre Street when they realized that it was on fire. Seamans and Kononiuk rushed from their car to the house and urged two young people on the building's second story to jump to the ground.

Pitcher and Simms went to neighbouring residences to get help and call 9-11.

Unfortunately, a third youth in the burning house, Justin Webber, died in the fire.

"Due to the bravery of four young people from Angus, they saved two lives and that means a lot to me as mayor," said Essa mayor Dave Guergis . He also commended their parents for instilling good values in their children.

"You've given us four young people who can stand up and be proud of them," he said

Township fire chief Paul Macdonald said that the young people's bravery and quick response should be recognized.

"Nobody knows how they'll react in a situation like this. It takes a lot of strength and pride to become involved. It would have been so simple to carry on and not become involved, but you chose to get involved. You reacted the way we want people into react," he said.

Sergeant Dirk Cockburn from the Nottawasaga OPP detachment said that it was an honour to participate in the recognition ceremony.

"It was a tragedy but your actions prevented a bigger tragedy," he said.

The OPP is planning to recognize the four teenagers in a special ceremony in the near future.