Family honored for heroic action

SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) - A couple, who rescued their neighbor from her burning home in August, was honored during a city meeting in Sugarcreek Township Monday.

Sugarcreek Township Fire Chief Randy Pavlak awarded Chris and Michelle Kinzeler with a certificate of recognition before a crowd of approximately two dozen people.

The Kinzelers jumped into action in the early morning hours of August 8, 2012, when their neighbor's home on Penewit Road caught fire.

Deborah Downey was asleep in her upstairs bedroom when the back of her house caught fire.  Flames quickly spread through the walls and into the attic of the home. 

Chris Kinzeler, who is a Lieutenant with the city of Dayton's fire department, and Michelle Kinzeler, who is a nurse at Miami Valley Hospital, broke down the door and rescued Deborah. 

Deborah escaped with only minor injuries.  She and her husband, Cory, thanked the Kinzelers for saving her life during the meeting.

"I don't know how exactly to thank the people who saved my wife's life," said Cory Downey, who was at work when the flames erupted.  "I'm forever indebted to them (the Kinzelers)."

The Downey's said their home suffered more than $130,000 worth in damages.  Repairs are expected to be complete by the end of the year or early next year.