MASON CITY – At approximately 4:30 am Thursday, the Mason City Fire Department was dispatched to 1220 N. Washington for a fire that appeared to have started with the air-conditioner. At the time of dispatch, the residents had not been able to be reached.
Josh Bendickson happened to be riding his bike by the location when he saw flames coming out the upstairs window. He ran to get a friend to help. Instinctively, they went into the house to rescue the residents. Josh was able to locate Viola, who was upstairs sleeping. His friend assisted Sharon, who was awake downstairs. The ladies exited through the back door to safety.
An NIT reporter ran to help the elderly lady into the van behind the house. “Oh, thank you, thank you,” Viola said.
Josh Bendickson, being the hero of the early morning fire, said, “I just got out of jail last night at midnight. Who would have thought I’d be saving two lives this morning. My adrenaline is really high, I feel very good about what I did.” The friend had left and wanted to be anonymous.
The fire spread up to the front part of the roof and moved to shooting flames out the middle of the roof. Later it was reported that the fire was inside the walls.
Watch video:
httpv://youtu.be/28D8QMGf7zQ
Anonymous is correct. This story didn’t happen as reported. Josh wasn’t the “hero”, but the other gentleman who wanted to remain anonymous was. I think if anyone were interested in knowing what really happened, a stop by the Kum and Go and talking to the clerk or people who stop in there early mornings might be a good idea. I commend Josh for helping out, but he didn’t tell the truth about how this went down. Just another thought, what was he doing out, riding his bike around 4 in the morning anyway? That is a bit suspicious to me.
I agree and I think it’s sad that the news outlets won’t print the truth about this. I know more than a few people have contacted the globe kimt and maybe even here. Does anyone care about the truth?
I hardly ever comment but I get so sick of reading peoples bullshit on here bout grammer, punctuation, and bashing on people
Get a damn life! Why take so much time to just comment! Get a clue…oh yeah I should eat my own words. So don’t take the time to tell me cuz I don’t want u to waste ur time. Lol
yo if dude be black u racists not be sayin he so great u crackas aint never say nothing good about homeys u thinks we all no good Im sayin.dude he done good 4 real but u sayin he so bad only bcuz he a honky.homeys aint take they shit no more stop u h8 full ness while u can racist honkys maybe gots time bcuz we aint playin and MC be homey town now.aint no cracka be take it back thats 4 real Im sayin.
Wow. I honestly couldn’t stop laughing while reading this post. And you wonder why we “crackas” are racist? I’m assuming you were born in America therefore making you an American and the national language is English. What is this language you’re speaking? Obviously “Hooked on Ebonics” worked for you!
I would suggest that you look further into this story. This guy did not do what he is claiming he did. The actually person that did this truly wanted to remain anonymous. Sad that this guy stis on the sidelines watching everything and then takes the credit.
HEY YOU HIPPOCRITS TWO PEOPLE DID AMAZING THING, ARE YOU SO POLUTED OR FOUL MINDED. YOUR THE PROBLEM OF TODAYS SOCIETY!
Nice take credit for something you didnt do! Why dont you tell the real story and be honest for once in your life! The fact is some one else get those women out.
Maybe the good deed will put you on a better path, fate or god’s work. I applaude you Josh. I hope this experience has helped you start a new good path and for the people on here hiding behind thier computers,ignore them they have nothing else to do other than talk negetive even in good situations. Some of them may not have done what you did. Thank you.
DAMN NORTH END!
omg you people who are ranting about the “north end” 1220 N Washington Ave is on the NW side of Federal Ave n Highway 65- therefore TECHNIQUALLY it’s not the north end!!! as a former north ender for many many years, it’s considered to be from 12th NE to 18th NE and everything east of Federal Ave… stop whining and trying to advert attn from this good deed to yourselves….
Thank you Mr. Mapquest.
Hate to disagree with you Mr. mapquest but you would be wrong. I grew up on the north end and if you think it is only east of federal your not from here at all. This is my opinion only but if you went to Mckinley school or your family lived in that district you were a northender!
OMG someone did something good in the North End and there was no BIG Headline about it! oh yea , guess they just do that when it is something bad or tragic to report!! Sometimes poeple just need a opportunity to show they can be a good person!
Just out of jail and already making a positive change in his life. Josh, I hope this feeling stays with you the rest of your life. A round of applause is appropriate now. Way to go Josh and to your anonymous friend! I must say that this is a breath of fresh air. Now, when the north end does something about it’s image, we’ll congratulate them too. This is certainly a step in the right direction. Josh, not sure why you were in jail, but by this single action of heroism you’ve certainly done a good deed. Keep up the good work, and thank you for being these people’s lifesaver.
So how come nobody is saying good job north end? All the clowns love bashing it when bad things happen so lets here it! It wouldn’t surprise me if some so called good citizens stood around and did nothing to help these ladies.
Let’s hope that the good feeling Josh got from saving 2 lives will make him realize that the high he gets from altruism is much better than any other kind of high in life. Thanks for saving their lives, Josh, and best of luck in the future.
Article doesn’t say how he entered the home. M.C. police may be able to charge him with breaking and entering. Good job, Josh
Josh Bendickson,
Wow,in MY eyes,you ARE the HERO!!!! These ladies could be dead,but there you were. (wish ALL”CRIMINALS” as they say,were acting out the way you did.
GREAT JOB JOSH!!!!!!!
A dead end street is a good place to turn around.I’m proud of you Josh and your friend.
The fact is, this person did time in jail and he happened to see ppl in need, with lives at stake, and those who saved lives also risked their own lives for their bravery. Kudos to Josh and anonymous friend!
So it’s O.K. to call someone who does a good thing a hero but wrong to hack on them when they commit crimes?????? Maybe we should just start giving criminals medals and trophies and tell them that deep down inside they are great people. It’s great that they did what they did, but in no way does it exponge his criminal acts of the past.
It sure doesn’t but it is a great start. Great job Josh & friend!
Thanks Josh and friend & NIT reporter! Good job!
Seriously? Where did you hire the people writing these stories? Shouldn’t a writing class be a prerequisite? The lack of grammar and the amount of fragmented sentences in this article is really bad. My nephew speaks better than who wrote this.
Another grammar and punctuation Nazi. Welcome to the party, idiot.
Then dont read it. Have a nice day!
dont reeeeeead ittt thehhh!!!
Thank you josh and friend I can’t say enough thanks
So, for all the hypocrites who sit behind their monitors, and bash criminals in general and who say they have nothing to contribute to society, I believe these two ladies would have a different opinion as do I. Way to go Josh and Anonymous friend. True bravery! Glad to see Mason City does have some have hope left.
Oh! So it happened ONE time around here. I applaud Josh for his actions. He is definitely one of the few or as it stands…the one. With that said, let’s not get all “See! See! these criminals have something to offer”, crap. One guy, a criminal, did what most everyone SHOULD do. That doesn’t make up anywhere even close to all the other POS criminals we have here. So don’t give me that shit.
However, like I said…Way to go Josh. Thank you for being the contradiction. Keep it up.
My voice respect your opinion but many of the people getting busted may be doing plenty of good things that we never hear about. They may be helping an elderly neighbor get groceries or mowing their lawn. Is that most of them? Definetly not but trashing everyone that has made a mistake when you don’t know anything about their lives is wrong. The people who are being arrested every other week are fair game they have no intention of changing their ways.
Fair enough. I can agree with that. Thanks.
Josh, way to go! 🙂
Awesome! Way to go Josh!!! Glad everyone is okay!