NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WHAS11) – The New Albany Fire Department didn’t pass on the chance to help a child smile after he lost his new bike in a garage fire on Tuesday, March 19.
When the firefighters responded to the fire, in eastern New Albany, the garage and all of its contents couldn’t be saved due to the structure being fully engulfed.
Ethan’s brand-new bike was parked in that garage, along with lawn equipment and other toys, He never even had the chance to ride it.
"We've tried not to go through any more stuff that way we don't remember what we lost," Shawn Cassidy, Ethan's mom, said.
The bike was a hard item to lose for her son.
"I was kinda just sad still that my bike was burnt," Ethan said.
After seeing Ethan’s devastation, firefighters from station 1 wanted to help. They invited Ethan and his family over for a tour of the station. It was during the tour of the station the department surprised him with a new bike they had purchased with their own money.
The family appreciated the gesture and they are very thankful.
"People need to see that they are really great people and they don't have to do anything and they don't get thanked enough for everything they do. I mean this is amazing," Cassidy said.
Ethan is currently learning to ride his new bike and he is inspired to keep trying.
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