15-year-old rescues grandma from burning home in Yoder

A Peyton teen is credited with saving her grandma’s life after she pulled her from a burning home last week.

Hana Bowers, 15, said she had a feeling that something was going to happen to her grandma so she asked her mom to take her to her grandma’s Yoder home.

“Basically, it was a deep gut feeling. It didn’t feel right,” said Bowers. “And in my head, I’m like, Grandma needs my help, I know I need to help her. I need to get there as fast as I can.”

After visiting for several hours, the two went to sleep. Around midnight, a fire broke out in the chimney.

Bower’s grandma grabbed a bucket and tried to put it out. The fire grew quickly and Bowers knew it was time to leave.

“I called 9111 and I dragged her to the bathroom. I opened up the window and I crawled out. She was having trouble getting out because she also wanted to get the cats out but that was kind of a late move because the fire was already behind us and it took me at least two minutes to get her out,” said Bowers.

Bowers said her grandmother is disabled and uses a cane so pulling her to safety was a challenge.

“I had to pull her out as she pushed herself out so it was kind of a teamwork effort,” said Bowers.

Bowers’ mother, Sandra Hair, said she was proud of her teen’s quick thinking and leadership.

“I am ecstatically proud. I couldn’t be more proud of her,” said Hair. “She’s amazing. Every day I get to see it.”

Hair thinks of what would have happened if Bowers wasn’t there.

“We’d be going to a funeral right now. We’d be going to a memorial service and a funeral for my mother had she not taken charge,” said Hair.

Bowers said she’s sharing her story so people remember what’s important.

“Don’t think about yourself. Don’t be self-centered,” said Bowers.

While she’ll say she helped her grandma, Bowers gave the ultimate credit to someone else.

“Yeah, the man upstairs. He’s the one who gave me the feeling,” said Bowers.

Bowers and her grandma suffered from smoke inhalation. Hair said the grandparents do plan to rebuild, but it will take time.