LDS Sister Missionaries From Utah Save Oregon Women From Burning Home

ALBANY, Ore., June 15, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Two senior citizens caught in a home fire in Albany, Ore., may owe their lives to two LDS sister missionaries who are serving there, but who hail from Utah.

Jana Shumway, of Lehi, and companion Heather Munford, of North Ogden, are serving their missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in western Oregon. Monday was a preparation day, but the two were late in leaving for their errands.

The two were finally driving out of the neighborhood when they heard screams for help and saw smoke coming from one half of a nearby duplex. Shumway and Munford rushed to help the trapped women, two senior citizens who have mobility problems.

Shumway told a reporter for the Albany Democrat-Herald that the fire was scary.

“It was more smoking than flames, but it was pretty bad smoke,” Shumway said.

Munford said she knew she and Shumway had to act fast.

“They were both trying to get out of the house,” Munford said. “All I knew is we had to get them out of there and get them away.”

Another driver stopped to help, and was able to carry one resident out while the two missionaries focused on the other. Outside, three other people stopped to help get the residents to a safe distance from the fire.

“It was all a blessing,” Shumway told the reporter. “Everyone’s okay and that’s the biggest thing.”

The residents received medical treatment on the scene. One was transported by ambulance to a hospital for additional care. A dog also was saved from the burning half of the duplex.

“Normally, we’re out of our apartment at 10 o’clock to do missionary work,” Munford said. “We just kept staying around.”

“Everything that happened was a miracle.”