Student pulls cousin from burning blaze
By SHARON KERR

Newsboy photo/Charles Kerr THE CHARRED REMAINS of 1277 East Martin Luther King are all that stand after a fire destroyed the home. No one was injured in the fire thanks to the heroic efforts of Glenn Beatty Jr., below.

Glenn Beatty Jr. is credited with saving his three-year-old cousin Keishia Robert from the fire that consumed his home at 1277 East Martin Luther King in Jasper.

He celebrated his 14 birthday last week in Texas Children's Hospital. He has already undergone one surgery to close deep cuts on his leg and back. He faces one more surgery before being allowed to come home.

"I broke a window and jumped out with my cousin," he said. "I thought about it and I held her up when I brushed through the window, so I only hurt myself," he explained.

The Jasper Junior High student said he was in the living room when he saw smoke and woke his aunt, Joanna Beatty.

His father, Glenn Beatty Sr., was on the computer in another part of the house. The father, who gets around slowly on a cane, smelled something burning and thought someone was cooking in the kitchen. When he opened the door he was met with a wall of smoke.

Beatty Sr. was safely outside and so was his son, but the boy went back into the blaze to try to rescue family members.

All survived and were treated for smoke inhalation. Beatty Jr. was the only one whose injuries were severe.

According to JJHS registrar Karen Byerly, Beatty may have to remain in the hospital another week

or so.

In a recent phone interview with The Jasper Newsboy, Beatty was excited that some pro-basketball players had visited the hospital. "I met them and I don't remember their names but I have their autographs," he said.

Beatty has a 22-point scoring average at JJHS, according to his father, but he will have to miss some games this year.

JJHS teacher Lynn Jones said, "Glenn is always willing to work and answer the call...He is a very respectful young man whose attitude will take him far in life."

History teacher Neal Green agreed. "Glenn is a very energetic and competitive student... very involved in my history class and we look forward to his return."

His science teacher Janet Edwards said, "Glenn's selfless act of bravery in the face of danger demonstrates a level of maturity and devotion that makes me feel extremely proud. His classmates and I pray that he recovers completely and can rejoin us very soon."

Jasper Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson said he conducted the fire investigation jointly with the Farm Bureau insurance team.

They determined the fire was caused by a space heater in a bedroom.

"The space heater was located too close to a bed, which is the item that caught fire and led to the damage of the entire structure and contents," Williamson said.

The family lost all personal belonging and household goods. Donations to the family can be dropped off at 1279 East MLK where Glenn Beatty Sr. is staying.