8th grader helps save sleeping neighbor from deadly fire

By HEATHER RAWLYK, Staff Writer

Published 11/11/09

Susan Hack was sound asleep in her Maryland City home Monday afternoon when she was awakened by her 13-year-old neighbor, who was screaming into her bedroom window to get out of the house.

Courtesy photo
13-year-old Jake Bassford is being credited for saving Susan Hack's life.

By the time she arose, thick black smoke from a fire - started by an unattended cigarette - had filled the one-story home at 305 Park Hall South. Hack stumbled to the front door and took in a breath of fresh air.

She was taken by ambulance to Greater Laurel Beltsville Hospital for evaluation, said Division Chief Michael Cox, a county Fire Department spokesman.

Hack was lucky, he said.

The county Fire Department is crediting Jake...

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Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 0 1

Young Hero - 2009-11-15 07:08:51

Thank You Jake you are the Man and a Hero

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C Layman - lothian, MD - Karma: Neutral

Now for the rest of the story - 2009-11-12 14:46:37

The writer fails to tell you that Ms. Hack went back into the burning house to try and save the dog.

Jake does deserve credit and a good pizza for his efforts!

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Rick Marshall - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent

Local Hero - 2009-11-12 13:09:46

What an inspirational article...sheer determination and refusal to let the other guy handle the situation saved Ms. Hack's life. Jake's parents should be proud! I hope the neighbor kids are half as consciencious if and when a similar situation happens to me or someone I love...

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Cindy Yale - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral