West Babylon boy's call helped save his neighbor from a fire
Richard Duncan, of West Babylon, called 911 to report flames and smoke coming from his neighbor's property on May 17. Credit: West Babylon School District
A West Babylon boy is being hailed as a hero after his quick thinking helped save a neighbor and her toddler from a fast-moving fire.
Richard Duncan, who recently completed fifth grade at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in West Babylon, called 911 after his sister, Taylor, spotted flames and smoke coming from a neighbor's property around noon on May 17.
His call brought firefighters to the scene within minutes, allowing them to extinguish a blaze that had started in the grass and was rapidly spreading to the side of the house, according to the West Babylon Fire Department.
"My sister was washing the dishes and then she told me our neighbor’s house was on fire, so I took my phone and I started calling 911," Richard, 11, said. "My mom always tells me when I see someone in trouble to call the police."
While on the phone with the dispatcher, Richard said he provided the neighbor’s address and the location of the fire on the property.
The neighbor and her child, who were unaware of the fire and not identified by authorities, were unharmed. The mother later thanked Richard for "saving her life" and gave him a $100 Visa gift card as a token of appreciation, he said.
Richard’s mother, Diane Duncan, praised her son for calling 911 before things worsened. "It was unbelievable when I heard the story, and it really shows he was paying attention," she said. "We just want to look out for each other. That’s what I taught him and he did it well."
John F. Kennedy Principal Denisha Van Liew added that she is "very, very proud" of Richard.
"I’m not surprised by his heroic efforts," Van Liew said. "This act that he has done shows his bravery, it shows his courage and it shows his compassion for all of humanity."
Richard said he asked a handful of the firefighters to sign a bandanna he owned after the fire was extinguished. The West Babylon Fire Department honored him during a ceremony on June 27.
"Richard's quick action and immediate call for help changed the course of a dangerous situation, proving that one vigilant neighbor can save lives," West Babylon Fire Department Chief William Allen said. "His decisive action exemplifies the importance of looking out for one another and serves as an inspiring reminder of how one person's vigilance can help save lives."
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
