Somebody calls the police saying a young girl on Thames Drive shoved an old man off the front porch out into the snow.

By the time deputies arrive the situation has changed somewhat. The young girl, Valerie, 15, did shove Howard, 74, off the front porch. But there’s a reason for that. Let’s back up a bit.

It’s wintertime in this Midwestern community and snow is falling. Howard hurries out to the garage to fetch fuel for the heater. He reaches for the kerosene, but mistakenly grabs a plastic gas can. That mistake will cost him dearly.

Back in the house, Howard opens the gas can and splashes "fuel" on the flames in the heater. His intent is to encourage the fire, but his action enrages the fire.

Within seconds the front of Howard’s clothes are in flames. Valerie, watching television, immediately leaps to her feet, throws open the front door, grabs Grandpa Howard by the back of the belt and slings him through the open doorway.

Valerie rolls her Grandpa down the wooden steps and into the snow. She rolls him in the snow until the fire is out. Then she heaps snow on his burned skin.

All this takes place in seconds. Grandpa Howard is still covered with snow when deputies arrive. Paramedics are called.

Doctors say that Valerie’s quick action and application of snow reduced the burn damage that might have been done by the flames.

Valerie is treated for minor burns and released. Thanks to the neighbors, the small fire in the living room is quickly doused and property damage is minor.

The first thing Valerie does at home is move the gas can to another corner of the garage next to the lawn mower. She labels the gas can with a large yellow "GAS," and the kerosene can with a large blue "K."

Valerie’s school teachers think she should be recognized for her lifesaving action and are talking with the mayor. Grandpa is home again but is no longer in charge of fueling the heater.