N.J. principal spots fire at teacher's house

[February 26, 2009]  TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) -- She's not just a school principal -- she's a rescuer. Principal Jill MacIntosh noticed flames shooting out of a garbage can as she drove to work

Tuesday at Washington Street Elementary School in Toms River. It turned out that the fire was on the property of Wendy Yorke, a third-grade teacher at her school who is home on maternity-leave with her 4-month-old son.

MacIntosh knocked on the door and helped get her employee out.

The only damage to the home was on the exterior of the garage -- though Yorke family members said it could have been much worse without MacIntosh.

The fire apparently started after the teacher's husband, Michael Yorke, dumped ashes from a wood-burning stove into the trash can.

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Information from: Asbury Park Press, http://www.app.com/

[Associated Press]

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