Heroes Honored for Saving Professor from Fire

Two young heroes were honored by Wednesday for their efforts to save a former Kent State University professor from a fire at her home late last month.

Council recognized Jared Atkins, 23, and Paul Marschik, 23, for saving Constance Mellott, Emeritus professor of the School of Library and Information Science, from a fire that started at her home on Columbus Street Oct. 31.

Capt. John Tosko said the young men were driving to visit a friend after seeing a movie when they spotted smoke coming from Mellott's home. Marschik dialed 911 and Atkins approached the house to investigate as glass rained down from an upstairs window blown out by the fire.

"They heard Dr. Mellott call out for help, went in the house and found her wedged between a door and some debris that had fallen over from the fire," Tosko said. When fire crews arrived, "two men were flagging us down while attending to an injured woman sitting on the curb.

"Normally we tell people never to enter a burning building, that’s a job for the fire department," Tosko said. "But in this case, we make an exception. Paul and Jared saved a life that night and made our job a lot easier."

Mellott is recovering from burns at Akron Children's Hospital.

The city declared Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, as Paul Marschik and Jared Atkins Day. Atkins is a Kent State graduate and Marschik is a University of Akron alum.

Kent City Councilman Wayne Wilson presented both men with proclamations declaring the day in their honor at Wednesday night's meeting.

"Paul and Jared are true heroes and the city of Kent appreciates that they got involved," Wilson said.

The men received a standing ovation from the crowd at the meeting.

“We never thought twice about going up to the house,” Marchick told the Daily Kent Stater. “We were at the right place at the right time and no one had noticed the fire at first.”