9-Year-Old Southern Indiana Boy Helps Save Teen With Special Needs From House Fire

SCOTTSBURG, Indiana — A 9-year-old boy in southern Indiana is being hailed as a hero after spotting smoke and helping save a 14-year-old with special needs trapped inside a burning home.

Quick Thinking Leads to Action

On August 17, young Ezekial Young noticed smoke rising from a neighbor’s home.

“I thought they were having a bonfire or something like that, and then I walked up there and their whole back porch was in flames,” Ezekial recalled.

Ezekial immediately ran home to alert his mother, Tasha Young, who called the homeowners. That’s when she learned their teenage son, Kenneth, was still inside the house.

A Mother’s Brave Rescue

With no time to lose, Tasha rushed to the burning home.

“When she told me he was in there and the police department said they knocked on the door and everything, I said, ‘Well, I’m going in to get him,’” she said.

Homeowner Keshia Reno said she and her partner had only been away for 30 minutes to pick up groceries when they got the terrifying call.

“The first thing I could think of is, ‘Kenneth’s inside, can you get him out,’” Reno said.

Thanks to Ezekial’s alertness and Tasha’s quick action, Kenneth was safely rescued.

Community Gratitude

Reno expressed deep gratitude for the Young family:

“Definitely grateful for kids playing, kids’ curiosity because that’s what brought him over to notice that it was something major.”

Ezekial’s involvement is no surprise to those who know him — he’s part of the Scott County Young Marines, an organization teaching kids about citizenship and community service.

“It was pretty great, a 9-year-old having quick actions like that,” Tasha said.

Damage and Recovery

The fire destroyed the family’s back porch and thousands of dollars’ worth of tools and belongings. Reno said they are still unsure what caused the fire, but she’s thankful her son and his important medical documents and photos were saved.

“We could’ve lost that, and we could’ve lost him,” Reno said.

The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with replacing lost items and repairing the damage.

The bravery of young Ezekial Young and his mother turned what could have been a tragedy into a story of courage, quick action, and community spirit in Scottsburg, Indiana.

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