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Nap time is usually the most peaceful time of day at any school.  

But in early June, while children napped at the Amar Children’s Center in La Puente, it was when near-disaster struck when a fire broke out in one of the portable classrooms at the center.  

Raymundo Bueno, a custodian at the center in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District and a member of Hacienda-La Puente Chapter 115, quickly jumped into action.  

“The first time I heard about the fire, the teacher was crying for help, and I just ran in,” says Bueno. 

Room filled with sleeping two-year-olds
The portable was filled with sleeping two-year-olds, and once staff smelled the fire, the child development technicians and the teacher quickly began evacuating the children from the portable and nearby classrooms.

“For the first seven minutes, I spent time looking for students in the kitchen, under desks, and in the bathroom,” Bueno recalled after entering the room “The classroom was filled with black smoke, and I was inhaling it. I didn't have time to wear a mask. I found the fire in the bathroom.”  

Bueno had worked at another district where a fire engulfed a portable. He knew he needed to act quickly. 

He got the fire extinguisher, but it was empty.  

“I tried my best to stay calm. I said if I didn't do it, the portable was going to be on fire, and then everything was going to be on fire,” said Bueno.  

Searching for a working fire extinguisher
Bueno did not give up. He ran out of the smoke-filled room and into the neighboring portable to get another fire extinguisher. Bueno was able to put out the fire.  

The children were safe, and the portable was saved, all due to the quick thinking and bravery of Raymundo and the other staff.  

“Mr. Raymundo has always shown himself to be a diligent worker with a wonderful work ethic, but on this day he went beyond to safeguard the children. His job as the day custodian is not an easy one but he is always there, willing to help even when he is frequently interrupted by staff in need of assistance,” says Tily Carlos, Treasurer of Hacienda-La Puente Chapter 115.  

Commended for heroic actions
She describes Bueno’s heroic actions as “just in his nature, he does everything.”  

“Mr. Raymundo is respected and loved by everyone,” she said. “Although the children have a tough time pronouncing Mr. Raymundo, they do manage to say Mr. ‘Mundo,’ which is ‘World’ in Spanish. We are truly fortunate to have the ‘World’ at Amar Children’s Center, especially on June 7th.”

This article was written by CSEA Content Writer Maya Sabatino.