Fifteen-year-old Madison Wallraf was driving to the stables with her family to go riding when she saw the smoke rising. Fearing for the life of her horse, Red, she called 911 and ran over to the fire. In addition to saving Red's life, the brave girl helped evacuate an estimated 25 horses after a stable in McHenry County, Illinois that went up in flames on Wednesday.
The 4'10" teen told MSNBC: "I started off by just putting their halters on and pulling them out by twos, but then the fire started getting quicker so I just started wrapping their ropes around their necks and just tying them around my arms and pulling them out."
Although her stepfather pleaded with her not to go in to the stable, Madison rushed in to remove the horses as the ceiling of the stable was falling down.
"I got kicked in the shoulder by one of the horses in there and I got knocked down a few times," she said. "But my adrenaline was so high at the time that it didn't faze me."
Along with 21-year-old co-rescuer Shannon Weitzman, Wallraf was rushed to the local hospital and treated for smoke inhalation after the fire department had arrived.
The fire lasted for roughly two hours before it consumed the entirety of the 25,000 square foot barn. Due to the lack of hydrants, water had to be brought in by truck to fight the flames. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Although many of the horses were saved thanks to the girls' heroism, 18 died and three escaped, according to the Daily Chronicle. But, at least, Madison has been reunited with her beloved horse, Red.
In another act of heroism yesterday, Newark Mayor Cory Booker rushed into a neighboring building that was engulfed in flames to save a trapped woman. The woman is alive and recovering, and Booker is now being treated for minor injuries.
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Posted: 04/13/2012 11:59 am Updated: 04/15/2012 11:10 am