A Long Island teenager and his mother are being praised after helping rescue a neighbor from a house fire while the boy waited for his school bus, reported People News.

The incident reportedly occurred March 31 when Jovani Moss, 15, heard “crackling” of flames coming from a house across the street from his family’s residence in Melville, New York.

“I didn’t notice the fire at first,” Moss told local news reporters. “But I heard the crackling of the fire, and I turned to look and called my mom.”

Moss said he immediately alerted his mother, Natechia Moss, and asked whether he should go to the house or call 911.

Natechia reportedly instructed her son to contact emergency responders while she rushed outside her house to warn the homeowner. She repeatedly rang the doorbell but got no response and thus began kicking the door until it partially opened. “I kept kicking the door,” she said via the article “Finally, I got it ajar a little bit, and all of a sudden, I saw her standing there and I grabbed her and said, ‘Your house is on fire!’”

The homeowner had reportedly attempted to re-enter the burning residence to retrieve her cat and jewelry before eventually escaping safely. Firefighters from the Melville Fire Department responded to the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Moss has since been hailed as a hero for reacting quickly, though the teen downplayed the attention. “A lot of people calling me a hero,” he said via the report. “I was like, ‘I’m not really a hero. I’m just being a good neighbor.”

He credited his mother with setting the example and teaching him to stay aware of his surroundings.

“Take out the ear pods. Keep your phone in your pocket until you get on that bus,” Natechia said of the advice she gives her son. “Always be aware.”

Melville Fire Chief Donald Barclay praised the family’s actions. “We are thankful no one was hurt and that Jovani did the right thing and helped his neighbor. The world needs more Jovani,” said Barclay via the article. He also commended the department’s volunteer firefighters, saying the incident reflected “the idea of helping your neighbor in multiple ways.”

Written with assistance from AI.

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The post ‘Crackling’ House Fire Alerts Teen While Waiting for School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

A parent is calling a kindergarten teacher a hero after he helped children escape a school bus following a crash April 2, near the Jacksonville Zoo, reported News 4 Jax.

Mandy Rubin spoke at a Duval County school board meeting, recounting the moments after a semi-truck rear-ended a bus carrying about 30 San Pablo elementary school students.

Rubin reportedly said teacher Franz Lerch helped keep her son calm and safely freed him from his seat in the chaotic aftermath of the crash.

“Mr. Lerch, in an extreme moment of crisis, was calm and collected, keeping my child calm while he worked to cut him loose from his seat,” Rubin said.

She urged district leaders to formally recognize Lerch, calling his actions selfless and courageous.

“He’s a hero in every sense of that word,” Rubin stated. “I also know that he would not single himself out. I know that any teacher would have acted similarly without thought for themselves. Because, to a public-school teacher, any child is their child.”

Student Injuries Could Have Been Worse Without Hero’s Actions

Her comments reportedly drew applause from those attending the meeting. Duval County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier also addressed the crash during the meeting, acknowledging staff at San Pablo Elementary School. He recognized the school’s assistant principal for stepping in to help lead the campus while the principal went to the hospital following the incident.

Four children were reportedly injured and taken to the hospital, while a fifth person was also transported. Reported injuries include two broken legs, cuts to the head and chest pain. Officials have not released updates on the conditions of those injured.

According to the article, the semi-truck driver told police he saw the bus stopped at railroad tracks and attempted to brake, but said his brakes were not working. The driver reportedly swerved in an attempt to avoid the bus but was unable to prevent the collision.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing as families and school officials continue to recover from the incident.

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Editor’s Note: The article states “cut the seats.” STN inferred the article is relating to seatbelts, especially as Florida law requires the lap restraints. 

The post ‘Hero’ Teacher Praised by Parent Florida School Bus Crash Evacuation appeared first on School Transportation News.