First call was firefighter's home

Date: 2/7/2011

Quick-thinking daughter saves family

Feb. 7, 2011

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW — On Dec. 30, 2010, Dennis Donahue was working as a call firefighter at the East Longmeadow Fire Department when a call came in for a house fire at 43 Schuyler Ave.

It was his house.

The Fire Department, which was already out helping battle a blaze in Indian Orchard, was quick to respond and Donahue found his first response to a fire more important to him that he ever thought it would be.

"It had to be frightening to take that call and hear your address," Jennifer Dutko, sister of Dennis' wife, Julie, said.

Luckily for him, he could focus on fighting the fire, knowing that his family was safe thanks to the quick-thinking heroics of his 13-year-old daughter, Ashley.

Having just completed the fire safety course at school, Ashley was able to spring into action. Leaving with only one shoe, Ashley was able to emerge from the house with her siblings, 7-year-old Riordan, 5-year-old Mackenna and 20-month-old Braedon, all unharmed. She carried the home phone out with her to call 911, leaving her cell phone behind.

"When talking to Ashley, I realized it could have come [out] the complete other way. She just went into action. It really was just a matter of seconds. That's commendable for any child, regardless of age," Dutko said. "I don't know any girl that age that would leave behind their cell phone. For most girls, it would be the first thing they'd try to save. But she made sure she had everybody. Ashley set the tone for things to go right."

Ashley was even able to save Murphy, the family dog.

"How she was able to get that dog out is totally beyond me," Dutko said with a laugh. "It must have taken a small miracle."

The Fire Department was able to save the structure of the home, but the fire retardant chemicals they used to extinguish the flames destroyed most of the inside.

"People assume smoke damage is what causes most of the damage, but anything plastic in the house absorbs the chemicals," Dutko explained. "Anything plastic had to be discarded and so many things you find in a home these days are made of plastic."

That included most of the gifts the children received for Christmas just days before. Also, all of the pantry items and kitchenware needed to be discarded.

Dennis' parents took in the family as they attempt to pick up the pieces and according to Dutko, the family is doing all they can to maintain a sense of normalcy. Riordan, for example, lost his red basketball jersey in the fire, but the family made sure he had a red shirt to wear in order to be in uniform.

"All things considered, it's pretty remarkable, the way they're handling it," Dutko said. "They're trying to make sure to keep an everyday schedule. It can be tough because they're also dealing with the insurance companies and things like that."

Insurance will pay for the majority of the larger items, such as appliances, furniture and the like, but the smaller items that make up everyday living, plus all of their food, still need to be replaced. That's why Dennis and Julie's family are hosting a fundraiser on Feb. 13 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at De Nardo's in East Longmeadow.

Dubbing it a house "cooling" party — "because a house warming party seemed too ironic," according to Dutko — the family is hoping to collect gift cards from various local retailers in order to help the Donahues gain back some of what they lost.

Suggested places to purchase gift cards include Stop & Shop, Big Y, Arnold's Meats, Big Lots, Target, Christmas Tree Shops, Ocean State Job Lot, Staples, Home Goods and Wal-Mart.

"It's an opportunity for people who work with or know Julie and Dennis to come by, show their support and give them a little bit of help," Dutko said. "A lot of people have said they want to help, but don't know how. Well, this is a good opportunity for them to help."