Teens run into burning building, help save more than a dozen people

NASHVILLE, Ill. — Two teens are being called heroes after running into a burning building and getting more than a dozen people to safety.

Wednesday around 10:30 p.m., teens Andy Goforth and Daven Hug were headed home when they noticed something was off at the Village Apartments retirement community.

“We saw and smelled some smoke coming around and he said, ‘we’ve got to go find this fire,’” Daven Hug said.

“I heard the people screaming,” Andy Goforth said.  “I didn’t even think about it.  I jumped out and ran upstairs.”

“My first thought was that my grandma lives in there,” Hug said.  “I’ve got to go get grandma.”

They quickly called 911 only to find out the response would be delayed.

“The Nashville Fire Department was on a mutual aid call when this fire broke out,” State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-109th District) said.

The boys split up between the floors in the building to get people out.

“A lot of them are elderly people,” Hug said.  “They have some hearing problems.  It was really hard getting people to wake up and let them know there was a fire going on.”

“The scariest part was the smoke,” Andy Goforth said.  “I couldn’t see anything.  I couldn’t see a foot in front of me.  I can’t imagine that much smoke in one area.”

Two people were airlifted to Barnes-Jewish Hospital with burns.  One was treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital. 13 others were temporarily moved to a Red Cross shelter at a nearby church.

“Without the great and heroic actions of Andy and Daven god only knows how tragic this could’ve been,” Rep. Meier said.

However, the teens were quick to say they’re not heroes.

“Everyone has said that word and it’s kind of blown my mind,” Goforth said.  “I didn’t think anyone would see it that way.”

“I think anyone who would’ve been there at the time would’ve done what we did,” Hug said.  “We were just at the right place at the right time.”

“God was looking over everybody that night,” Goforth said.