Three teens rushed into a burning retirement center to save lives. They’re being called “three angels.”
Ethan Katicic, Ryken Glew, and Jackson Brown of Edmonton, Canada, were on their way to play basketball when they saw smoke pouring from the Citadel Mews West Retirement facility.
Instead of simply gawking at the disaster-in-progress, they pulled over and rushed to the retirement home to see if they could help.
Jackson said, “We knew that the elderly people were going to struggle getting out.”
The brave teens first went to the staff members gathered at the entrance, and when they learned that there were still residents inside the building, they didn’t hesitate to go in after them. Thinking nothing of their own safety, they ran up to the fourth floor and began to systematically empty the rooms.
Smoke began to fill the hallways, and the roof was soon fully engulfed in flames. At times, they would open a door to find a room on fire, but they were so focused on evacuating everyone that they didn’t have time to be afraid. Ryken said they only wanted to get people out “as calmly as possible” and make sure they knocked on every door. “We did our best and that’s all we could do,” he said.
Jackson added, “The only thing that was going through my mind is what if I miss someone and they’re stuck in the building.”
Richard Belley is one person who is infinitely grateful to the teens for their heroism. His father lives in the retirement home and the three helped him get out.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re three angels,” Richard said. “They’re very well-spoken, humble boys. It gives me hope for society.”