New Bedford Girl Saves Mom, Neighbors From Potential Explosion
NEW BEDFORD (CBS) - A nine-year old New Bedford girl is being hailed as a hero and rightfully so. She may have saved the life of her mother. "I was sad and worried," said Ermelinda Madeira.
Several days ago, Ermelinda was heading for the school bus, but noticed the smell of natural gas in her home.
She didn't want to get on the bus, knowing her mom would go back inside the home. But she got on anyway, and the bus driver noticed the little girl wasn't her normal self.
"So I asked her what was going on," said Jerry Pinto, "and she told me she was worried about her mom, because there was gas in the house, so I called 911."
When firefighters showed up minutes later, the home was full of natural gas, so they vented the house, saving an explosion.
"We have a program that teaches school kids about the danger of fire and natural gas," said Captain Brian Arruda of the New Bedford Fire Department. "I'm so glad that Ermelinda's education paid off...and the teamwork of Mr. Pinto."
Ermelinda got a citation from the city Thursday and the admiration and love of her mother. "I'm just so proud of her, I don't have the words," said Carla Madeira.
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