Virginia Mother Hailed As Hero After Pulling Daughters From Burning Car Just Before Blast

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

A Virginia mother is being hailed for her extraordinary courage after a late-October car fire forced her to make split-second decisions that saved both of her young daughters.

According to Heather Henderson, Jessie Kelly had been driving home from a trunk-or-treat Halloween event at the Fredericksburg Nats Stadium on Friday, Oct. 24, when everything changed. 

Henderson said that Jessie and her two daughters were headed back when they were involved in “a terrible car accident,” followed by a fire that left Jessie fighting to free her children as flames closed in.

Henderson said the woman “immediately went into mommy mode, doing anything and everything to save her girls, heart racing a million miles a second.” 

She wrote that she “yanked Ella out first and threw her as far from the car as she could.” But when she returned for Valorie, Henderson said her costume “had gotten caught in her car seat buckle, trapping her.”

Jessie tried to pull the entire seat out, but “it wouldn’t budge,” Henderson said. 

She added that Jessie kept “pulling, ripping, and begging it to come loose while the flames started burning right through her.” Even as the fire spread, Henderson wrote, “there was no way she was leaving her daughter behind.”

Finally, Jessie managed to free her, Henderson said. 

They made it only “a few steps before the car exploded right behind them,” a moment Henderson described as “the loudest, scariest moment of their lives.” 

The aftermath of the vehicle fire in Virginia.

GoFundMe

Despite the blast, Henderson wrote that “by the grace of God, Jessie and her girls made it out alive — with not a single scratch on those beautiful children.”

The aftermath of the vehicle fire in Virginia.

GoFundMe

Jessie, however, suffered severe injuries while standing inside the flames to free her daughter. 

Henderson wrote that Jessie suffered “multiple third-degree burns” and is being treated at the VCU Critical Care Burn Center, where she has already undergone two skin graft surgeries. Henderson said Jessie’s recovery “will be long and difficult.”

The aftermath of the vehicle fire in Virginia.

GoFundMe

As the doting mother continues treatment, Henderson said the children are being cared for by family, while Jessie focuses on healing “with Kyler by her side every step of the way.” 

The Virginia family.

GoFundMe

She wrote in a GoFundMe set up for the family that they are now facing unexpected medical costs, the loss of Jessie’s vehicle, and the added strain of approaching holidays. Henderson started the fundraiser to help ease that pressure.

Those wishing to support Jessie’s recovery can donate here.

"This family is under enormous stress, as you can imagine, so any donation — big or small — will make a huge difference in easing their financial burden," organizers said.

“Thank you for reading, donating, and most importantly, for keeping Jessie and her family in your prayers."