Video: Family Meets Columbus Firefighters Who Rescued Them

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — It’s was nearly two months ago when a Columbus family woke up to smoke and fire, narrowly escaping from their apartment. Thanks to help from Columbus Fire and Rescue, the family survived the terrifying incident. Now, they’re meeting with the firemen they call heroes for the first time.

“The only that I remember is seeing a ladder. I wanted to put some faces with that ladder and to be here to see these amazing people who were basically a God-send. It’s amazing,” says Shalonda Conner, who was rescued with her two daughters.

Shalonda Conner and her daughters say they’re grateful to be alive. Conner says she did everything she could to help save her family that fateful morning on October 1st. Fortunately, Columbus Fire and Rescue were there to assist her.

“We proceeded off the truck and grabbed the ladder and proceeded up to the window. We pulled out the two daughters and the mother. Later on we found that there was a fourth victim inside. We sent another crew in and they got them out,” says Captain Tommy Massey, with Columbus Fire & Rescue.

The fire fighters involved in the rescue were thrilled to know that the family survived. Conner’s 14 year-old daughter Deja was seriously injured during the fire outbreak and was hospitalized for five weeks.

“We kept up with her as she was in Memphis at LeBonheur. We tried to keep tabs with her up through Jackson and then through mutual acquaintances through the different agencies here in town,” says Captain Chip Kain of Columbus Fire & Rescue.

Conner says she’s thankful to the community for their support and will continue to have a special bond with the firefighters at Station #1.

The family has also found a new place to call home.