J.D. TenNapel, 15, Risks Life To Warn Neighbors Of Wildfire

Heroic Boy Risks His Life In Attempt To Save Neighbors

In an act of true heroism, 15-year-old J.D. TenNapel put his own life at risk in an attempt to save others, according to KKCO 11 News. Although the boy ended up in the hospital with second-degree burns, his selfless actions played an important role in saving the lives of his elderly neighbors.

The student from Cedaredge, Colorado showed bravery and courage far beyond his age when he rushed to warn his neighbors of an encroaching fire as it quickly spread towards them. The wildfire burned through 60 acres and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes.

When J.D. and his father noticed that the wind was picking up and saw smoke down the road, the two sprang into action. Neighbors reported that even as flames grew to 100 feet high, J.D. headed into the flames on his ATV to warn those who lived nearby, many of whom were elderly.

"[J.D.] went to every door he could, and he was coming back and the fire was coming over the road, and I saw his headlights," J.D.'s father, James TenNaple, told KKCO 11 News.

Check out the video above and click here to read the full report from KKCO 11 News.

The teen is currently in the hospital being treated for second-degree burns on his legs, arms and back. But rather than focusing on the pain, he's still thinking of others who have been affected by the fire.

“It’s hard to sleep because I keep waking up thinking about how bad it could have been,” J.D. told local newspaper the Daily Sentinel. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”

In another recent act of selfless bravery, 15-year-old Madison Wallraf saved an estimated 25 horses from a stable fire in Illinois, venturing into the stable to release the horses when she saw the smoke rising from a nearby road. And last month, 19-year-old Colby Dauenhauer from Texas risked his life to save his girlfriend and her father after their plane crashed and burst into flames.

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