Newark middle school student honored for alerting people to house fire

Newark, N.Y. (WHAM) - A middle school student was honored this week by the Newark Village Board for helping to save two people from a house fire.

Giancarlo Colon was honored Tuesday with the “Do the Right Thing” award.

On February 11, Colon, who goes by the name John, was walking home from school when he saw the back corner of a home on Blossom Road was on fire. He ran up to the house, pounded on the door and told two people inside the home that it was on fire. Both were able to get out and safely and call 911 to the home.

Village board members called John's actions "thoughtful, bold, cool and heroic," adding that his quick thinking ensured minimal property damage and that no one lost their life.

"It is an absolute pleasure to recognize our youth who unselfishly go above and beyond to make our community a better place to live," said Jonathan Taylor, mayor of the Village of Newark.

“John’s quick thinking and unselfish actions on this day showed that this young man is a role model for others his age and beyond," Newark Village Police Chief Mark Thoms said.

Colon was given gift certificates to Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes, Joey’s Northside Grocery, BB’s Pizzeria and Wal-Mart as a reward.