A dramatic act of courage days before her swearing-in has made Hiram City Councilwoman Melissa Bayardelle a local hero.
Bayardelle was formally sworn in for a second term on Tuesday night, Jan. 6, 2026 — just days after she ran into a burning home in her neighborhood and alerted a young couple that their house was on fire.
The rescue occurred shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, when Bayardelle saw flames shooting from the second floor of a home on Greystone Circle in Hiram, Georgia.
While most people would drive by or call 911, Bayardelle took direct action. She pulled into the driveway, began pounding on the door, and — finding it unlocked — went inside to wake the residents.
“There was fire on the second level,” she later said. “I allowed myself in and yelled, ‘Hey! There’s a fire. Your house is on fire!’”
Inside, Isaiah Richerson and Dalasia Mitchell were just getting ready for bed and had no idea the home was ablaze — there was no smoke visible inside. Thanks to Bayardelle’s swift intervention, the couple escaped safely just before the roof began to collapse.
“She saved our lives that day,” Richerson said during the council meeting, embracing Bayardelle and expressing deep gratitude.
The home was left uninhabitable, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, though neighborhood residents speculated that holiday fireworks may have sparked the blaze.
Bayardelle’s bravery has been praised widely in the community. For many, she stepped up when leadership beckoned, not only in governance but also in crises where quick action can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. Her actions have inspired many, particularly in discussions about everyday heroes and community responsibility.
Following the fire, local residents have rallied around the couple, helping raise funds and collect clothing and essentials as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.
