Teen's Favorite TV Show Prompts Her to Investigate Burning Smell, Finds People Trapped in Apartment Fire

On Aug. 24, 14-year-old Lily Swanson of Leyland, Lancashire, England, was out walking her dog Isobel when she sensed danger brewing.

She was close to home, on Hough Lane, when she was met with a burning smell and spotted smoke trailing out the window of an apartment above a shop. She could see that people were still inside.

An avid viewer of the FOX show “9-1-1” and a sea cadet, Lily knew what to do. She and Isobel ran home where she woke her dad, 42-year-old Mike Swanson, and placed a call for help.

“There were no flames at that point, but I could see people inside,” Lily told the Lancashire Post. “I knew they needed help fast and I had to get home and call 999.”

Her dad grabbed some ladders and headed to the apartment, where the residents were attempting to climb out.

“As soon as I called the 🔥Fire brigade, we ran back outside and we could see people hanging out the window,” Lily continued.

“It had only been a minute or two since I first saw the smoke but as we were running over to help them, one of the windows blew off and fell into the street. That’s when me and my dad saw the flames. I told my dad we should try and get everyone out of the other window above the barber’s next door.”