Son wakes mom, saves from house fire

By Christina Sampson

January 11, 2013 - 6:37 pm

Red Cross volunteers help family burned out of mobile home Friday.

Clay Payton Isaiah Ray, a 4-year-old boy who lived at the Petra Youth Ranch, 51572 W. Pima Road near West Farrell and North Ralston roads, is being called “the little hero” of his neighborhood after he saved his mother from their mobile home fire Friday morning, said the boy’s guardian, Faith Lupe Quintana.

The Petra Youth Ranch is part of the Christian Center Church where Quintana was a pastor until working on the ranch became a full-time job.

The fire occurred about 10:30 a.m., said Brian Gomez, spokesman for the American Red Cross Grand Canyon chapter.

The Ak-Chin Fire Department was the first to respond, followed by the Maricopa Fire Department, said Maricopa Fire Chief Wade Brannon.

Gomez said the mobile home “was completely destroyed.”

Quintana lived in the mobile home along with her daughter, Tara Mitchell, Clay Payton Isaiah Ray and two other children, Sasha, 5, and 7-year-old Haze.

Quintana said she is the guardian of all three children, who look upon her as their grandmother and Mitchell as their mother.

The family lost everything in the fire, from recent Christmas presents to clothes and jewelry.

“We’re homeless,” Quintana said.

Quintana said she was having coffee across the street Friday morning when Clay Payton Isaiah Ray, who is slightly autistic, came running across the street and told her there was smoke.

Mitchell, who is on medication for fibromyalgia, was asleep in the mobile home.

Quintana said the boy “practically dragged (Mitchell) out and saved her life.”

Two of the family’s cats were lost, but a third, who Quintana said was singed, is “still alive, but he looks horrible.”

Sasha and Haze were in school. The family is now staying with Mitchell’s father.

Quintana said she did not know how the fire started.

Two volunteers from the Red Cross Pinal County disaster action team, Mike and Kathy Tanner, arrived Friday afternoon and provided the family with a week’s worth of money for food, clothes and other essential necessities, Gomez said.

More information on helping this family and others is available by calling the Red Cross at 602-336-6483.

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While it's tragic that the family lost everything they own, including two of their pets, I have to wonder why a 4 year old special needs child was left in the care of someone whose medication results in deep sleep. No child should have to drag an adult out of a burning home at 10:30 in the morning while his legal guardian has coffee across the street.

My daughter started meds she wasnt let in share and she wasnt dragged out he was an angel and knew what to do.thank G-d. the cats come around or people drop them off we take them in.we do a greatwork and have saved many a life.How many lives u saved?

Yes its tragic the youth home that has taken in hundreds of people burnt. and thank g-d a person lived.while in Oregon a death mute child told his mom he heard someone yelling for help. It happen later a girl had drown in the ocean near where he was swimming. How quick we are to judge. as an indian I learned not to judge till u walk in my moccasins. It was 8:20 on my cell not 10:30. the neighbor has demensia i help . its not a crime to walk outside is it?or drink coffee. I learned busy bodies..