- Flames engulfed a house at 3826 Amherst Ave. NW Wednesday.
- Todd Morris, a Jackson Local bus driver, saw the smoke and flames and went inside to rescue the pets.
- He was familiar with the home that is on his bus route. Two of the four children in the home ride his bus.
JACKSON TWP. – Todd Morris was enjoying his unexpected day off, running errands and visiting his favorite doughnut shop Dough Co. for a sweet treat before heading back to his township home late Wednesday morning.
He spotted smoke as he drove along Traphagen Street NW.
“It wasn’t chimney smoke,” Morris said.
He realized it was coming from behind Jackson Fire Station No. 2, so he turned down the roadway and pulled up to a home at 3826 Amherst Ave. NW. Smoke and flames were shooting from the windows.
Morris is familiar with the home and the family living there. As a Jackson Local Schools bus driver, he picks up two children from the house every day. Frigid temperatures had closed school that day so he worried if “his kids” were inside the burning residence.
Muscle memory kicked in and he charged toward the door.
The retired Jackson Township police officer immediately dialed the fire station’s telephone number — something he had learned during safety lessons in kindergarten decades earlier — and reported the fire.
Jackson Local bus driver rescues dogs from house fire
He said he banged on the door and got no response. Morris knew he had to do more. He went into the bi-level home – something he had done before on the job – and called out the children’s names.
“I was doing a search to find my kids,” the 1989 Jackson High School graduate said. “I call them my kids because they are from my bus.”
Morris searched downstairs and the upstairs, coming close to flames in the living area. Several times he left to get fresh air before continuing his search.
Eventually, he came across the family’s two dogs.
“They were sitting at the bottom of the steps with a deer in the headlight look,” Morris said. He helped the pets, carrying one of them, to safety. He took them to his truck, where they were warm and happy enjoying the doughnuts Morris had bought earlier that day.
Once emergency personnel began to arrive, Morris called his wife and told her to bring leashes for the dogs.
“We’re a big rescue family,” he added. Morris then phoned the district’s transportation secretary to get contact information for the family.
Morris spoke with the mother, explaining the situation and that he was caring for the family’s dogs.
He took the dogs – a mastiff mix and shepherd mix – home and cleaned them up. Morris learned one of the dogs had neuropathy and has difficulty walking.
Knowing that the family’s world had been turned upside down, Morris wanted to ease their minds a bit. On Wednesday night, the family picked up their pets. Morris made sure to give them toys, bowls and dog food. The family’s pet cat was still missing after the fire.
The Army veteran says he was at the right place at the right time. He is hopeful any other neighbor would have done the same thing.
“I want to think I’ve done what every other person would have done when you see a family in need,” Morris said. “It’s a Jackson neighbor helping a Jackson neighbor.”
Cause of Jackson house fire unclear
As of Thursday, the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Several 9-1-1 calls were received regarding the fire around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Callers reported flames could be seen coming from the windows of the home.
The home was fully involved when firefighters from Jackson Township, Massillon, Green and Canal Fulton arrived.
The family of five was not home at the time the blaze broke out. The parents were at work and the four children were at their grandmother’s home, officials said.
The three-bedroom bi-level home, built in 1952, sustained heavy damage its interior, roof and walls.
A GoFundMe account has been created to aid the family and has collected more than $16,500 for the family as of Thursday afternoon. A goal of $22,000 has been set.
Todd Porter, communication director of Jackson Local, said the district’s family support team and counselors have been in contact with the family. Donations of gift cards for the family can be dropped off at Amherst Elementary School or Jackson Memorial Middle School.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
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