Dawn Billary, 32, of #10 Hibiscus Lane, has her eldest son, Ernest, to thank for his bravery in rescuing her and his siblings from their burning house on Sunday morning.
And her elder brother, Ernest Billary of San Pedro, has been charged with arson in connection with the incident and remanded to prison until February 14, pending the results of a psychiatric evaluation ordered by Chief Magistrate Margaret Gabb-McKenzie.
At 8:20 a.m. Sunday, police and Fire Department personnel were called to Hibiscus Lane to fight a blazing fire already in progress and consuming most of the concrete structure.
But the real story was the bravery of Ernest, 16, who guided his asthmatic mother out before going back in to rescue his two younger brothers, aged six years and four months respectively.
Ernest was treated for burns to the forehead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Police alleged that the elder Billary was reportedly seen running from the area after the fire started, but he claimed that he was on his way to work and had been running back and forth trying to retrieve his belongings from the fire scene.
Supt. Aaron Guzman, leading the investigation, told the media on Monday that the police suspect arson, but the Fire Department’s investigation has not been concluded.
Ms. Billary told us today that she had been at home that morning cooking. She was looking for a box of matches; failing to find any, she sent young Ernest out to buy some.
On his way out, Ernest noticed the fire in the building, and reported it to his mother, who didn’t believe him. But after convincing her, their attempts to put the fire out caused smoke to build. Billary was overcome by smoke inhalation and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Ernest then went inside, by “instinct” he told us, to rescue his younger brothers from the smoked-out hallway, an act for which he has received popular acclaim in the community.
The family has moved next door and is the subject of many visits from concerned neighbors, as Amandala witnessed this evening.
On the subject of the detained uncle, Dawn Billary reports that he has threatened many times to burn down the house. He was staying with the family after leaving jail last week, but after many run-ins with him, including his destroying some of her possessions, she determined that he could no longer stay in her house.
Their argument on Saturday night resulted in his once again threatening to burn down the house, according to the younger Ernest. In addition, the matches Dawn had been using Saturday night turned up missing Sunday morning.
The subsequent attention and praise lavished on Ernest Billary does not appear to have gone to his head. He admits, though, that he is happy because it was something good that he did.
The family lost $40,000 worth of goods to the fire and is asking for any donations to recover the loss. Donations can be made in Dawn Billary’s name at St. John’s Credit Union, acct. no. #9912, or benefactors can call her directly at 663-0317.
Plans have also been made for a barbecue to be held this weekend at Cox Tire Shop, with the proceeds going to the family.