Firefighters honor Burlington City boy for quick response

By LAURI SHEIBLEY
Burlington County Times

BURLINGTON CITY — Four-year-old Athan Rhoads was in the kitchen of his Burlington City home last month when his younger brother reached up and turned the knobs on a gas stove.

The burner turned on and ignited a pile of dish towels. Athan saw the fire and immediately told his parents.

“He knew it was hot,” said Athan's father, Robert. “He said it would burn him. He's a very smart kid.”

To recognize Athan for his quick thinking, the firefighters at Mitchell Fire Company decided to honor the young boy Monday night. Michael “Peck” Adams, president of the fire company, presented Athan with a certificate and a 600-piece fire station Lego set.

Adams said Athan prevented a potential tragedy.

“He saved his house and (prevented) possible injuries,” Adams said.

Athan's mother, Felonee Rhoads, said the fire occurred March 2 when her family was moving into its new house. She said she usually removes the knobs from the stove as a safety precaution, but she had not done that yet.

Rhoads said she was unloading boxes when Athan came to her and told her about the fire.

Robert Rhoads extinguished the burning towels. “He let us know before it got too bad,” Robert Rhoads said. “He knew before the smoke alarms did.”

Lt. Kevin Clark, director of the community relation department with the City of Burlington Fire Department, said it was important to recognize Athan for doing the right thing.

Clark said firefighters often visit schoolchildren and educate them about fire safety. Firefighters visited Athan's preschool at the YMCA a few weeks before this incident.

Clark said the firefighters teach children about the danger of lighters and matches, and instruct them how to react when they see a fire and how to safely escape a burning house.

Clark said Athan also has good role models at home.

His grandmother, Chris Ketchum, is a member of the Mitchell Fire Company and a fire inspector for Burlington City. Athan's mother is a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Endeavor Emergency Squad and a career EMT for the Palmyra-Cinnaminson-Riverton squad.