When a fire broke out in the garage of John Pellum and Carolyn Russell’s home in Nashua, New Hampshire, the couple was away and learned of the emergency only after receiving a phone call. The call warned them that black, billowing smoke was rising from their property.
“We rounded the corner. There’s nothing like seeing black, billowing smoke knowing that it’s your house on fire with flames,” Pellum recalled.
Before fire crews could arrive, their neighbor, Jonathan Paradise, sprinted down the street, grabbed the family’s garden hose, and began spraying water onto the flames. The entire incident was captured by the family’s Ring doorbell camera, showing Paradise’s decisive response.
“I just wanted to make sure that it didn’t reach the house,” Paradise said of his motivation. “It was just pure adrenaline at the time.” His swift action helped contain the blaze within the garage, limiting damage to the structure itself while the house suffered only smoke damage.
Firefighters from the Nashua Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter to extinguish the remaining flames and ensure the fire was fully under control. Their prompt response, combined with Paradise’s neighborly bravery, prevented what could have been a far more devastating loss.
Both Pellum and Russell expressed deep gratitude for their neighbor’s heroism. “I mean, would you put a fire out for someone you didn’t know? He did,” Pellum remarked. The couple also noted that a local resident who witnessed the event approached Paradise, thanking him for using the garden hose. “She said, ‘You’re a lifesaver. I owe you so much,'” Paradise recalled, adding, “I told her she doesn’t owe me anything. It’s just what a good person should do.”
No injuries were reported, and the family is now focused on repairing the garage and restoring their home. The incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and the impact a single individual can have when acting with courage and compassion.
Local officials praised the quick response of both the neighbor and the fire department, reminding residents of the value of knowing one’s neighbors and being prepared for emergencies. They encouraged homeowners to keep fire extinguishers accessible and to maintain clear access for emergency responders.
This story serves as a reminder that ordinary citizens, guided by faith and a sense of duty, can make a profound difference in protecting families and preserving the safety of their neighborhoods.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
