SoKY’s Choice: Warren County first-grader honored after alerting family to hidden house Fire

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – A WCPS first grader is being recognized as a hero after his quick thinking helped his family escape a dangerous house fire on New Year’s Day.

Six-year-old Bryson Ray, a student at Natcher Elementary, was in his bedroom when he noticed something wasn’t right.

“I was making my bed and I heard like a crackling noise,” Bryson said. “Then I touched the wall, and it was hot.”

The fire was burning inside the wall of the family’s home, making it difficult to detect at first. After feeling the heat and hearing the crackling, Bryson ran to alert his father, who then contacted Bryson’s mother, Heather Ray. The family quickly began getting everyone out of the house.

“As you were going up the stairs, it was getting hotter and hotter, and you could hear the crackling in the wall by his room,” Heather Ray said. “So we ran and got everybody out of the house.”

The family also went door-to-door, warning neighbors in the connected townhome complex so others could get out safely.

Firefighters arrived and were able to contain the fire, preventing further damage and potential injuries. No serious injuries were reported.

Bowling Green firefighters later recognized Bryson for doing exactly what they teach children to do — speak up and act fast when something seems wrong. They surprised him with a fire helmet and a stuffed Dalmatian, which he named Millie.

For his mother, the recognition is well deserved.

“He’s my hero,” Heather Ray said. “I’m so proud of him. I’m just so proud of him that he did the right thing.”

Fire officials say Bryson’s actions likely prevented the situation from becoming much worse, and they hope his story serves as a reminder to families about the importance of fire safety and listening to children when they report something unusual.