Mom says her 10-year-old daughter saved family from house fire
A California mom is calling her 10-year-old daughter a hero for helping to save their family from a house fire this week.
Nena Morgan said her youngest daughter Elizabeth, also known as Lizzie, was the first member in their family to notice flames near the front of their Oakley home early Wednesday.
"We have Lizzie to thank for looking out that window and seeing the flames," the 51-year-old mom of three told ABC News, adding that she and her 11-year-old brother "kept their composure and was able to get us out."
Morgan said Lizzie started screaming and set off a chain reaction, alerting other family members and their two adult housemates and pets, including her 15-year-old daughter, who has some hearing loss.
"By the time I crawled out of bed in the morning, flames were already coming through our oldest daughter's bedroom, because her room is closest to the front porch." Morgan said. "Smoke was billowing in the house. It just happened so quick."
According to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, firefighters were dispatched at 3:29 a.m. after they received calls reporting flames in the garage area of the Oakley home. By the time firefighters arrived, fire conditions were heavy but "all occupants had safely evacuated."
Morgan said she and her family lost "everything" in the fire and one of their three dogs, Toto, didn't survive. She also said their housemates lost all their belongings, a car and their dog, whom they considered their child.
"I was so depressed, but now I'm just like, we're alive," Morgan said. "Let's be thankful that we are alive. Everything else can be replaced, except for our animals."
Contra Costa Fire confirmed to ABC News that four adults and three children were displaced from the house fire and two dogs were confirmed deceased. The fire department said the house fire is now under investigation.
Since then, Morgan said their neighbors and local community members have pitched in to help after hearing what happened.
"The community's been awesome. They immediately started showing up, bringing us shoes and socks, because I mean, we all came out of that house at 3:25 in the morning with just nothing," Morgan said.
"We are so grateful from the bottom of our hearts," she added. "This is what community is about and I've never been prouder of my community."
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