Teen, neighbors honored for role in Round Lake fire rescue

A teenager, her father and three of their neighbors were recognized Monday by the Round Lake village board for their actions last weekend to help save a mother and her 2-year-old son from a house fire.

Sadie Contreras, 17, was recognized in a village resolution with her father, Luis, as well as neighbors Jeffrey Platt, Christopher Moore and Mayla Moore.

The residents of South Litchfield Drive were credited for alerting Rebecca Duffy of an electrical fire that started outside her home the night of May 12. Their quick responses helped contain the blaze, preventing injury to Duffy or her 2-year-old son.

"What they did took bravery, and we appreciate that they put their lives in danger for a greater good," said Round Lake Trustee Sonia Sandoval.

Mayor Jim Dietz lauded the group's quick thinking.

"They set an outstanding example for residents all around the area," Dietz said.

Sadie Contreras said the attention she has received at school and in the media for her actions has been overwhelming.

"It's crazy. I was just glad no one got hurt," Sadie said.

That night about 11 p.m., Sadie Contreras noticed the blaze near the doorway across the street from her home. Despite being a month removed from foot surgery, she ran to the scene, yelling and pounding on doors and windows to alert anyone inside.

As the Grant High School junior roused the woman and toddler inside the home, her father, Luis Contreras, dialed 911.

Christopher Moore and his wife, Mayla, had just pulled in their driveway when they noticed the orange glow of the fire down the street. The two ran to the house, joining Sadie Contreras in trying to alert anyone inside.

After a few minutes, Duffy emerged from the home with her child and dog. No one was hurt.

Jeffrey Platt returned home around the same time and immediately saw the blaze, which had climbed the exterior of the home to the second story.

He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his garage and helped contain the fire, reducing it to smolders by the time firefighters arrived and put it out completely.

Damage was mostly confined to the siding and windows of the home.

Despite the scope of the situation, the neighbors largely downplayed the actions deemed "heroic" by village officials.

"Obviously we didn't do this for the recognition," Platt said. "I would hope anyone else would do the same for my family."

"It's an honor, but it's something we would do any day of the week," Christopher Moore said.

"You don't have a choice in that situation."