The Shadow
The Falling Spring Fire Department has recognized a 10-year-old boy for his heroic efforts during a recent house fire.
Dalton Pennington is credited for saving the life of his grandfather, Robert Persinger, during an early-morning structure fire on Sunday, April 19, that destroyed Persinger’s home.
Saturday, the Falling Spring Fire Department recognized Dalton as a hero, presenting him with an honorary plaque and Life-saver Award. Dalton also received a new Xbox from the fire department.
The Falling Spring Fire Department was dispatched to Persinger’s residence near Hot Springs Road at 3 a.m. on April 19. When firefighters arrived the scene, the structure was engulfed in flames.
Dalton was spending the night with his grandfather. Firefighters learned that Dalton was awakened by the fire and made his way to his grandfather’s bedroom.
Persinger said after he was awakened by Dalton, he could see flames coming down the hallway. He said they barely escaped the home before it was fully engulfed by flames.
Dalton suffered minor burns to a hand and arm. He was treated at LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany and released. The grandfather was uninjured.
“From my experience, if he had not woken up his grandfather, we would be doing a story on a house fire with two fatalities,” said Falling Spring Fire Chief Thomas Andrews.
“[Dalton’s] maturity and composure throughout that incident at his age is absolutely astonishing. I?would definitely take him on as a future firefighter,” Andrews added.
The Falling Spring Fire Department took fire trucks to Dalton’s home in Low Moor Saturday to give him recognition. His mother, Ashlei Balser, was present for the brief ceremony, along with his grandfather.
Persinger was displaced by the fire. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Persinger. The web address is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/qdck9-house-fire.
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Still bandaged from burns he sustained in a fire, 10-year-old Dalton Pennington displays a new Xbox he received from the Falling Spring Fire Department Saturday for his heroic efforts. Dalton is credited with lifesaving measures he took during a house fire on Sunday, April 19. Thanks to his quick thinking, Dalton awoke his grandfather and both escaped from his home near Falling Spring Road without further injuries. Pictured with Dalton, from left, are Assistant Chief Mark Fridley; Falling Spring EMS Provider Greg Gordon, Dalton’s grandfather Robert Persinger and Chief Thomas Andrews. (Photo Courtesy Falling Spring Fire Department)
