Norwood Teens Honored After Rescuing Woman from Fire

Two young people helping an elderly woman away from a house on fire with firefighters and fire truck in the background — Two young people rescue an elderly woman from a burning house in the suburbs.

On June 29, 1982, three local teenagers performed what Norwood Selectmen Chairman William Butters and Norwood Fire Chief Thomas Barry described as a “heroic deed,” directly saving the life of an 85-year-old resident. John Siderwicz, 16, Todd Maxon, 18, and Brendan King, 16, were driving home from work when they spotted flames leaping from a rear window at 633 Neponset St. Recognizing the immediate danger, the youths acted with what Siderwicz later described as pure instinct. Upon arriving, they learned from another occupant, Charles Griffin, that Laura Taylor, an 85-year-old recent widow, was still trapped inside the burning home.

While one teen ran to a neighbor’s house to summon help, Siderwicz, Maxon, and King rushed to the back of the building. Breaking windows to vent the thick smoke, they discovered Taylor stumbling in search of her eyeglasses, unable to locate the exit. One of the teenagers climbed through the window, successfully rescuing her from the structure. When Taylor expressed concern for a relative she called “Cousin Joe,” the teens bravely re-entered the house, only to discover that the intended rescue was actually a pet poodle, which they safely located in the basement. Siderwicz remarked on the intensity of the experience, noting that while it felt like 15 minutes, the entire ordeal lasted only about two.

In recognition of their bravery, the Norwood Board of Selectmen scheduled a formal presentation for the evening of July 13, 1982, to bestow citations of honor upon the three teens. Chairman Butters emphasized the significance of the act, noting, “We believe it would have been a fatal fire if they had not done what they had done.” He further explained the decision to honor them during a public meeting: “We’ve held other award ceremonies for firefighters, for work beyond the line of duty… But this is way beyond these kids’ line of duty.” By presenting the honor scrolls, the board ensured that the teens’ quick and courageous actions would be permanently recorded in the town’s history

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger