Tonawanda Teen Honored For Heroic Act

A City of Tonawanda teenager was awarded the New York State Senate's highest civilian honor this week.  State Senator Chris Jacobs presented the Liberty Medal to Cassandra Butzer for alerting a 68-year old man that his house was on fire and likely saving his life.

Cassandra was on her way home from dance class on the night of May 10th when she noticed the front of a home on Elmwood Park North was on fire.  She stopped her car and pounded on the door of the home to let the man inside know that his house was on fire.

Dennis Alviti was working on his computer at the time and had no idea the siding on the front of his house had caught fire.  He was the only one home at the time and was able to get out safely.  A bird's nest that had been built on top of an outdoor light apparently caused the fire causing $20,000 in damage.

Jacobs made the presentation during a ceremony at Tonawanda High School.  Alviti and his family were there to honor Cassandra and to show their appreciation.

The young lady says she plans to study dance at the University of Buffalo this fall.