Illinois 16-Year-Old’s Quick Thinking Averts Family Tragedy in Fire

Sixteen-year-old Caydence Franse of Schaumburg, Illinois may have stayed up too late on Monday night, but it ended up saving her entire family’s lives.

The Struggle of Raising Girls

I am here to tell you firsthand that raising girls is hard, and my daughters aren't even teens yet!

From silly girl drama, homework frustration, and constant sibling squabbles, every day can be a test of my patience, but I've quickly learned that some battles aren't worth the trouble.

For example, I have chosen not to fight my twelve-year-old about wearing mascara to school, and have focused my attention instead on teaching her the importance of being kind, brave, and strong.

I want my girls to know how to stay safe in life, and how to handle emergencies. Just like this 16-year-old in Schaumburg, Illinois did recently.

Illinois Teen Saves Family From House Fire

At around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025, a fire broke out at the McGrath family home in Schaumburg, Illinois, but thankfully, 16-year-old Caydence Franse was still awake already preparing for the school day ahead.

CBS News Chicago reports that Caydence Franse was up and "doing her lashes" when she "noticed what sounded like a firework and then smoke in her room."

Franse quickly escaped out her bedroom window, but immediately went to pound on her father's bedroom window because she knew he, along with her brother and their dogs, were still asleep inside.

Caydence's dad, Shane McGrath, told CBS News Chicago:

I think she quite literally saved my life because moments after getting out of there my room took pretty much the worst of it aside from the garage

While the cause of the fire is still unknown, the damage is extensive and the family is thankful for Caydence's quick thinking.

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All I can say is, thank God for false eyelashes! I will never hound my daughters about unnecessary makeup routines again, just in case!