Neighbor extinguishes fire

Quick action by Johan Svenson this morning at Utopia Park turned what could have been a tragedy into a relatively minor event, making him the hero of the day, at least for Gerri Olge who was at home at the time of a fire in the kitchen.

Ogle said the alarm kept going off even after she hit the button to turn it off. No one knows for certain what happened, but she saw fire behind the stove and called 911.

Svenson, who lives next door, heard the alarm and looked out his window to see smoke coming from the trailer next to his. He grabbed a fire extinquisher, ran into the home and put out the fire.

All that remained for the Fairfield Fire Department to do was carry out the charred gas kitchen range and a microwave, get rid of the smoke, and determine that the fire was completely extinquished.

Ogle said the trailer is the home of her sister and husband, Ira and Janet Goldberg as well as their three cats that could not immediately be found. Fire Chief Ralph Hickenbottom surmised they were hiding in the bedroom where the smoke was not as thick.

Ogle told Svenson he was very brave and thanked him for his bravery.

?It could have blown up,? she said.