Dover-Foxcroft man honored for heroic efforts

DOVER-FOXCROFT – A local man who rescued an elderly man and his granddaughter from their burning home in October was honored Monday by the Board of Selectmen.

Jesse LaBlanc said he was humbled by the recognition, which included an engraved plaque, and was amazed at the notoriety his actions have gained, including an invitation to participate in a California-based television program called “It’s A Miracle.” He says he simply did what he had to do.

LaBlanc, 28, had been driving on Lincoln Street in Dover-Foxcroft on Oct. 29 when he noticed a brightness in the distance. When he discovered a house on fire, LaBlanc stopped his car, ran to a residence across the road from the fire and pounded on the door to wake the occupants. He told the person who answered the door to call the fire department. The homeowner told LaBlanc that he believed children and an elderly man lived in the house.

Without thinking twice, LaBlanc raced across the road and banged on George Dyer’s door. Receiving no response, LaBlanc said he kicked in the door. Inside, he ran through the house hollering to wake up the occupants while a small dog yapped at his heels and tried to bite him.

Hearing LaBlanc’s shouts, Dyer and his teen-age granddaughter awoke and ran outside. But before LaBlanc left the house he grabbed some photographs off a wall and carried them to safety, remembering how someone had done the same when his family had a house fire. Just as he ran outside, the roof and top floor of the house collapsed.

“He did what everybody dreams of doing and he did it unselfishly,” Joe Guyotte, Dover-Foxcroft fire chief, said after Monday’s short ceremony. He said the community was proud of the “good Samaritan.” Guyotte said instead of a plaque he wished he could have given LaBlanc a million-dollar check.

Equally proud of the local man’s heroism were town officials who recognized LaBlanc and his family members Monday. Chairman Robin Merrill presented LaBlanc an attractive plaque engraved with the following message. “For his courageous actions on the early morning hours of Oct. 29. With the lives of others clearly in peril, Jesse risked his own life to save the lives of people he did not even know. There can be no greater selfless act of bravery and courage. We are proud of you. Thank you for what you have done.”

On Monday, LaBlanc recalled that he was scared when he entered Dyer’s home and heard a dog growl. But when he saw that the dog was old, small and didn’t appear to have sharp teeth, LaBlanc said he ran through the house to wake the occupants. While he admitted he was scared, LaBlanc said George Dyer was likely just as scared when he realized a stranger had broken into his home and was shouting “‘fire, fire.”

“I had to convince him that it was a fire,” he said. “I don’t know who was more frightened, Mr. Dyer or myself. Both of us were in shock, I would say,” he said.

While he said Monday that he was thankful that Dyer and his granddaughter escaped the fire, LaBlanc said he also was thankful for the support he’s received since that night. “There hasn’t been a day go by since this has happened that someone hasn’t called me a hero,” he said. “It’s quite a feeling to have someone that you don’t even know come up and shake your hand.”

LaBlanc said the actions he took on that October night are slowing sinking in and it has definitely given him a “good feeling.” If you think you can help someone at least try it,” he said.