An Allen County woman is being hailed as a hero for her actions in saving a Shawnee Township couple from a house fire last Friday morning. At Monday night’s trustees meeting, Shawnee Township resident Kylee Morrisey was presented with the Lifesaver Award by Shawnee Fire Chief Austin Miller.

In Shawnee Township, some pizza deliveries came via fire truck this evening.

“Every home should have a fire escape plan, knowing two ways out of every room, making sure your children know that their job is simply to get out and stay out. Your home should have a meeting place somewhere outside in your front yard — a landmark like a basketball pole or a mailbox — where everyone in your home knows to go to so that way you can keep accountability,” said Matt Reaman, Shawnee Township Fire Prevention Officer.

“Our assignment was we need to check our smoke detector, so we can see if it works in case we have a fire, and you always need a door,” said Alanna Watkins, one of the program participants. “You don't want to live in a basement or attic if you don't have a door. And you have to have a plan, so when you have a sleepover with your friends, you have to tell them where to meet up if you have a fire.”

The Lima Noon Optimist Safety City, a fixture in the community for almost 50 years, has seen a surge in student participation this year. Officer Eric Mericle of the Lima Police Department said their field trip program has been attracting students from surrounding counties, hitting a milestone of 1,400 student visitors since March.

The Lima Fire Department responding to an apartment fire Tuesday afternoon.