LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — It's been more than two weeks since a house fire in Spokane Valley killed two young boys. Firefighters are now out in the community teaching children the importance of fire safety.
This includes 10-year-old Quinn Whitley, who got a special treat from the Spokane Valley Fire Department. A Spokane Valley fire truck and firefighters surprised Quinn at her home in Liberty Lake.
"It was very surprising to say the least," Quinn's mother, Jacklyn Whitley, said.
Spokane Valley firefighters visited the 10-year-old's home after seeing a video of Quinn that was posted on Jacklyn's Facebook page.
In the video Quinn asked, "How do I get out? I'm on the top floor and if there's a fire by my door, how do I get out?"
When firefighters heard Quinn's questions, they decided to send a full response. The department wants to spread awareness about fire safety, especially after the tragic fire that killed two young boys on Oct. 30.
"The message is so important because this is something that everybody potentially is exposed to," Sean Wagner said.
Wagner is an engineer for the Spokane Valley Fire Department. He visits elementary schools throughout the year to teach students just like Quinn.
"It gives the children really helpful knowledge at a very young age that I think they're going to carry with them," Wagner said.
During the visit to Quinn's home, Wagner took Quinn up to her bedroom to answer her question.
"If there's not smoke and if it's not hot, we're going to slowly open that door," Wagner said in the Quinn's room.
He taught her if she saw smoke to first check her bedroom door. And if that is too hot, to go to her window to get firefighter's attention below.
"It just meant the world that they would come in and reach out to us to teach us and educate us," Jacklyn said.
Jacklyn hopes her daughter can use what she learned to teach her friends.
She said, "Other community outlets that we are able to take our knowledge and give to them and it becomes spread everywhere."
The fire department says they'll continue educating Spokane Valley elementary schools. The department teaches around 3400 students a year.
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