Branford Boy Lauded for Helping Save Elderly Man from Fire

A young Branford boy is being called a hero for the role he played in saving a 92-year-old man from a fire on Halloween night.

WTNH News 8 reports that the boy, 6-year-old Titus Panasy was getting ready for bed when he looked out his bedroom window and saw the fire. Panasy alerted his father who then called 911 and rescued the elderly man inside the Heritage Hill home.

The home belonged to Jim and Alice Ruggiero who were not inside at the time of the fire, the news channel reports.

The fire destroyed the home and crews from Branford, East Haven and Guilford brought the fire under control in about a half-hour, according to the New Haven Register. A fundraiser was held for the Ruggiero’s at the Branford Elks on Nov. 10.

A fund has been set up in the Ruggiero’s name at First Niagara Bank at 1026 Main Street in Branford. Envelopes can be addressed to the attention of manager Jeff Vernon, or sent to Century 21 AllPoints at 1236 Main Street in Branford, to the attention of Kathi Kroll.

According to the news channel, the Ruggieros called the boy their “little hero” for saving Jim Ruggiero’s father’s life.

Image via Shutterstock

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