It could have been worse if not for the quick thinking of Noah Double, a Falconer Central School student who helped his family escape a house fire at their 2 Waldemeere Ave., Falconer, home on May 21.

Double was honored by Falconer Village Board members on Monday.

At 3:24 a.m. May 21, Noah Double was sleeping when he was suddenly woken up by the smell of smoke from something on fire near him. Double, to his surprise, found that his garage and part of his house was engulfed in a fire. However, his quick thinking and courageous actions allowed him to sound the alarm and help get his family to safety.

“Noah may not feel like a hero, but he is,” said Falconer Mayor James Jaroszynski. “His quick thinking and actions helped save his family and others.”

From left, Falconer Volunteer Fire Chief Brice Webster, Noah Double, Mayor James Jaroszynski, Third Assistant Chief Brenton Yager and Second Assistant Chief Avery Faulkner presented Double an award at Tuesday’s village board meeting, held at the Fireman’s Exempt Hall for his actions during a structure fire at his home residence, May 21. P-J Photo by Christopher Blakeslee

In the audience, watching the ceremony take place, were Double’s family members who looked on with pride. Double also received a gift card from PersNikkity’s Pies for his actions.

The May 21 fire started in Double’s garage located on the property. The garage and house were destroyed. A neighboring home was also damaged during the fire and is reportedly able to be repaired. Another neighboring house damaged by the blaze is going to be left to the owner’s discretion and village code enforcement as to what will happen with it, according to Brent Yager, Falconer Fire Department second fire chief.

A friend of the family, Heleena Walter, recently started a Go Fund Me. Walter has been friends with Kirsten Double since 1995 when they worked together at Reachout Ministries on Spring Street with the Latchkey program. Kirsten Double works for the Safe House in Jamestown. Walter is the Kingdom Kids Director at REALiFE Church in Jamestown and Kirsten Double is a leader on her team, helping work with the Kingdom Seekers group and Kingdom Quest age group. She also helps lead worship vocally and with the keyboards on the worship team. Being a part of the church family together is part of the reason why Walter began the Go Fund Me. The Go Fund Me can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-double-family-after-devastating-fire.

Other fundraisers for the Doubles are planned in the future, including one on Aug 3, hosted by REALiFE church. The event is set to run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at REALiFE Church, 556 East Second Street. The event is being hosted by Bethany Smart with the help of Walter. At this event there will be outdoor family activities, bounce houses, bands, food, Chinese Auctions, 50/50 raffles and more inside the church. More about this benefit can be found on Facebook under the “Benefit For the Double Family” event page.

To Walter, people should be interested both in donating to the Go Fund Me and attending the August benefit to help a family that has always been community-minded.

“The Double family needs help rebuilding their home both immediately and in the future,” Walter said. “This family has always loved the community, and we hope they will begin to feel the love back that we all have to give them in this very upsetting time of need.”

In other business:

– The board approved the sale of the village’s fire department’s Box Alarm Reader to a local fire department.

“Were very happy to do this,” said Trustee Timothy Dunn. “I’m glad this equipment is going to another fire department who can use it.”

– The dog catchers report reported finding reports of dog feces found on a property at Lister Avenue and a report of a dog running in the village’s park not leashed. The officer DCO issued a warning ticket and advised that any more occurrences regarding this issue will result in fines being issued.

– The library will host its first Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education presentation, on July 18, entitled “Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors. A second presentation is scheduled for Aug. 13 entitled Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances. Both presentations are set to take place at 2 p.m.