By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP—A Perrysburg area teen was honored Wednesday for her composure and life-saving instincts after a fire in the family’s kitchen triggered the smoke detectors early on one of the coldest days of the winter.
Isabelle “Izzy” Fleig received a certificate of commendation from Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon for her “courage and responsible choices” and the way she “handled a dangerous situation with confidence and care.”
On Jan. 25, 2026, Izzy awoke at 6:17 a.m. to the high-pitched screech of the home smoke alarm. Instead of panicking, she remained calm, alerted her family, called 9-1-1 and helped ensure everyone—two younger siblings and three dogs —were moved safely out of the house.
The Middleton Township and Perrysburg City Fire Departments were dispatched to the reported structure fire on West River Road, according to Middleton Township Fire Chief Andrew Carter. With the blowing and drifting snow and below-zero wind chills, mutual aid was requested from Waterville and Perrysburg Township.
“As with any first arriving engine company, Perrysburg City Fire Engine 39’s priority was life safety,” Carter said. “Upon arrival, crews were met in the driveway by a 14-year-old who informed them that everybody was out of the structure.”
Izzy had taken her 4-year-old brother and 6-year-old sister to a pickup truck parked in the driveway and secured the dogs in kennels.
Once medics arrived quickly, the children were moved from the pickup truck to the ambulance for evaluation and to keep them warm.
“When I arrived on scene, I received a handoff report from an Engine 39 officer indicating that the smoke detectors had activated as intended and that the oldest child (Izzy) had successfully helped her siblings escape the home,” Carter reported.
The fire, which had started in the kitchen, was controlled and completely cleaned up within an hour from the time units were dispatched.
“Only after speaking with the mother, it became clear that in below-freezing temperatures and under extremely challenging conditions, Izzy demonstrated extraordinary bravery, saving the lives of two younger siblings,” Carter said.
Izzy, who is a freshman honors student and member of the vocal arts program at Anthony Wayne High School, recalled the day was “really cold.” She didn’t have time to think about what was going on, “I think instinct just kicked in,” she said. “When I heard the smoke alarm, I first had to keep them {her younger siblings] upstairs while I checked everything. As soon as I saw the fire, I knew that we had to get ready and get everyone out.”
After she called 9-1-1 she let the dogs out the side door, put two in a kennel and one in the pickup truck with her siblings. By the time the younger kids were safe in the pickup truck, the ambulance and fire crews had arrived.
When asked how, at 14 years old, she knew what to do, Izzy credited her mother, Veronica Fleig-Kandik, who currently works as a Lucas County EMS dispatcher, but has also been on EMS crews.
“I always knew about safety, and I guess when it came down to that moment, I just kind of knew what to do,” she said.
“It’s important for kids to have that knowledge how to react in the event of an emergency or a fire, especially if you have younger siblings who might not understand the situation as much,” she said. “You might think that you won’t need that knowledge, but sometimes you don’t know.”
When her mother told her about the state award, Izzy was surprised and kind of confused. “I just did what I thought was best. I didn’t see it as something big.”
Due to her bravery, she was also presented with a Smoke D.O.G. (Detectors on Guard) award of a Smoke Dog plush animal, a new smoke detector and a T-shirt with the reminder “Smoke Detectors: Mine worked! Will yours?”
“You followed the safety steps you’ve learned, and you helped make everyone get outside safely, “said State Deputy Fire Marshal Rick Sluder. “Your actions show how important it is to listen, think clearly and act quickly in an emergency.”
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office learned about Izzy’s bravery and quick response from Chief Carter, which gave the office the opportunity to present the certificate of commendation.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of working smoke alarms and having an emergency plan in place, Sluder said. So far this year, Ohio has had 83 fire deaths, which is nearly double last year’s numbers.
