Tragic House Fire Claims Life of Heroic Man

A 57-year-old man from New York lost his life on Monday after he helped his family escape a devastating house fire.

Reports from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office indicate that Simon Risner did not manage to escape the blaze after ensuring his loved ones were safe at their home on Turn Trail in Concord. The fire department responded to the scene around 5 a.m. to find the house fully engulfed in flames.

Nancy, Risner’s wife, remarked that her husband’s urgent cries for help were what saved her life. At the time of the fire, they were home with their daughter Madison and her boyfriend, Evan. “He died a hero,” Nancy expressed. “If he hadn’t been yelling, ‘Fire, fire, get out of the house!’ we might not be here today.”

Evan managed to escape by jumping from a second-floor window, while the family only managed to flee with their cellphone and the clothes they wore.

Risner was known for his service to others throughout his life. His widow told WKBW that he had been a firefighter in his early years, spent 33 years in the U.S. Army as a medic, and volunteered as a ski patroller for 15 years. “He was always helping people,” Nancy remembered. “On the morning of the fire, he was the one shouting, ‘Get out, fire, fire.’

Nancy has found it hard to cope with the loss. “I keep wondering if we all should have survived. Part of me thinks it might have been better if we all just left, but Simon was a man who wanted to help others. I believe in his last moments, he died doing what he loved,” she reflected.

The family not only lost a beloved member but also their three dogs and two cats in the blaze, according to reports. Community members have stepped in, providing clothing, food, and financial support to assist the family. A GoFundMe page has also been established to help them rebuild.

The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated.