SUBLETTE – On March 14 at 12:07 p.m., the Sublette and Amboy Fire & EMS Departments were dispatched to 704 W. Santee St. in Sublette for a house fire with a burn victim.

Sublette was already enroute to a dumpster fire at Woodhaven Lakes Campground that was dispatched 12 minutes prior. Immediately, a MABAS Box Alarm was transmitted bringing in Mutual Aid from the Mendota Fire Department, Dixon City Fire Department, Dixon Rural Fire Protection District, Compton Volunteer Fire Department, West Brooklyn Fire Department, LaMoille Fire Protection District, Troy Grove Fire Department, Advance EMS and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Dixon.

Prior to arrival of the first engine company, Sublette residents and neighbors, Curtis Ryan Kessel and Nick Wilson saw a young child in a window on the second story of the house. As they approached the house, the father was exiting the residence with another child so Kessel and Wilson jumped into action. Kessel scaled the back fence and climbed to the second story window, grabbed the child by the ankle and lowered the child down to Wilson, saving the child’s life before the window was enveloped in smoke and flames.

A few minutes later, the first engine company arrived with heavy fire on the first and second story. Quick hose deployment and aggressive attack contained the fire to the structure of origin.

The father was transported by Sublette EMS for burns and the children were transported by Amboy EMS for smoke inhalation and evaluation (conditions unknown at this time).

The Sublette Fire Department expressed its appreciation to all the Sublette residents and neighbors who came out and offered assistance, and especially to Kessel and Wilson for their heroic efforts in saving the life of one of Sublette’s residents.