13-year-old Ga. middle schooler honored with his own day for saving his family

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — A middle school student is being called a hero because of his decisive action when his home caught fire. The city where he lives has even proclaimed today as Chandler Flournory Appreciation Day.

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“Come on in, Chandler,” Renaissance Middle School Principal Dr. Ava Williams said, waving in the school’s hero into the media room.

The eighth grader got a standing ovation from the assembled crowd. 

The 13-year-old was recognized at this ceremony for his quick thinking when the oven at his home caught fire and threatened to bring the whole house down last June.

Chandler’s mother, Yolounda Spencer, says it happened on Father’s Day. “My daughter was cooking, and we just saw smoke from the oven. And she said, ‘Ma, I think it’s a fire!’” she said.

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Spencer says her daughter opened the oven and that the fire knocked her down. She was overcome by smoke. That’s when Chandler jumped into action. “Chandler said, ‘Ma, please leave the house!’” his mother recalled.

Chandler says he kept his cool. “I know it was scary for my siblings, my mom, because they didn’t know what to do,” he explained to Channel 2′s Tom Jones.

He knew what to do because he had recently attended a fire safety prevention class taught by Jaceey Sebastian, councilman for the city of South Fulton.

“It was very instrumental. It was very good,” Chandler said of the class.

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After Chandler got everyone out of the house, he then grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. Because of his efforts, Councilman Sebastian presented the teen with a proclamation. Sebastian read the proclamation aloud, which ended with these words: “And does hereby proclaim Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 as Chandler Flournory Appreciation Day.”

Chandler says he just did what he was taught to do. “I’m very happy I saved my family,” he said.

Chandler also says he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. He’s on the right track.

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