Sunset firefighters replace child's motorized toy lost in fire


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SUNSET — A family thanked Sunset firefighters Monday for a good deed after a grass fire blackened their shed and came within feet of their home.

Janet Nelson said her 4-year-old daughter, Avery, was devastated when she learned her beloved Mickey Mouse-themed, battery-powered riding car had melted and burned in the shed.

“When she saw the shed, she immediately said, ‘Where’s my Mickey car?’” Nelson said. “Her little lips started quivering, and I just felt so sad for her.”

The shed caught fire June 12 after a windstorm downed a power line that sparked in the Nelsons’ backyard.

After putting out the fire, Sunset firefighters noticed how sad the girl was about her toy.

“She was in tears crying,” Capt. Matthew Maass said.

Janet Nelson said her 4-year-old daughter, Avery, was devastated when she learned her beloved Mickey Mouse-themed, battery-powered riding car had melted and burned during a June 12, 2017, shed fire in Sunset. The shed caught fire after a windstorm downed a power line that sparked in the Nelsons' backyard. (Photo: Janet Nelson)
Janet Nelson said her 4-year-old daughter, Avery, was devastated when she learned her beloved Mickey Mouse-themed, battery-powered riding car had melted and burned during a June 12, 2017, shed fire in Sunset. The shed caught fire after a windstorm downed a power line that sparked in the Nelsons' backyard. (Photo: Janet Nelson)

Chief Anthony Bott said after further discussion, the firefighters decided to pitch in and purchase the girl a new riding toy — a pink, Minnie Mouse-themed Jeep.

“Her eyes lit up and she was the happiest kid, so that made it all worth it for us,” Maass said.

Nelson said she was stunned when the fire truck showed up again Saturday in front of her home.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Nelson said. “(Avery) was so excited. She was speechless!”

The good deed came just two weeks prior to the potential closure date for the all-volunteer fire department.

The Sunset City Council was expected to vote Tuesday night on a finalized contract with the North Davis Fire District to provide fire services for the city beginning July 1.

Neither Bott nor Maass would entertain questions about the change.

“The community is No. 1 for us, so we always try to take care of them and go above and beyond,” Bott said.

Nelson said she and her daughter were grateful for the fire department and firefighters’ unexpected gift.

“We just really appreciate it,” she said. “We really can’t say enough of how fortunate we feel.”

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