10-year-old birthday boy praised for alerting family to house fire


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ROY — A Roy woman is grateful to her 10-year-old son after he likely saved his family members' lives Tuesday with his response to a fast-growing house fire.

Jacque Sparks and her two boys were celebrating her son Tyten's 10th birthday at their home on the 2800 block of 4275 South.

"We had just finished having birthday breakfast, and they were watching TV," Sparks said.

Tyten heard a popping sound in the garage and then felt the door to check for heat.

"My 10-year-old (son) heard a noise and checked the garage, and then he came up and got me and I checked the garage and opened it," Sparks said.

Smoke and flames quickly spread into the house, but everyone was able to get out in time.

Tyten Sparks, 10, is being praised for saving his family members' with his response to a fast-growing fire inside their Roy home Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo: Mike Anderson, KSL TV)
Tyten Sparks, 10, is being praised for saving his family members' with his response to a fast-growing fire inside their Roy home Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo: Mike Anderson, KSL TV)

"We got everybody, all of us, all of our animals (out) because he gave us enough warning," Sparks said.

Roy Fire Chief Jason Poulsen said Tyten reacted just as he should have.

"He could smell it, and he heard the pop so he thought, 'Hey, I'm going to feel the back of the door.' (He) did exactly what he was supposed to do, what he's been taught, and it's a good lesson," Poulsen said. "It's good for us to see these kids do what they're supposed to do."

It's certainly not the birthday Tyten hoped for, which is why Poulsen said the fire department was planning to buy the family dinner — and some new birthday presents.

"We'll get some stuff for him and make sure that the family has what they need," Poulsen said. "We'll make sure that the family has a good birthday party for him."

Sparks has one more thing than she might have expected: a boy who has grown into something more.

"He did good. (He's a) hero on his birthday," she said.

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