Man Saves Elderly Neighbor from Kitchen Fire

Jerome Williams of St. Petersburg was visiting his mother at 1035 Arlington
Ave. when he smelled smoke.

After investigating, Williams went into the apartment next door and saw 76-year-old Oscar Jenkins asleep in his recliner with the kitchen fire. Williams grabbed Jenkins and pulled him to safety.

"If it wasn't for the quick thinking of Mr. Williams, Mr. Jenkins may not have survived," said St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue District Chief Allen Rosetti in a news release. 

According to firefighters, when they arrived to Jenkins' apartment Monday night, the fire was held under control by an active sprinkler. 

Authorities said Jenkins, who had just celebrated his birthday, had fallen asleep in his recliner while cooking macaroni and cheese. The macaroni and cheese caught on fire, setting the sprinkler system off over the stove.

Jenkins was checked out by paramedics on scene and medically released. Red Cross was contacted for assistance in relocating him.