A little less than month after a local teenager sustained extensive burns from a fire at his home on State Avenue and Vine Street, he is planning on attending Cornell's prom on Friday.

Michael Hetzer, a Cornell junior, will attend the event with his date, Maddie Ponticel, also a junior.

His mother, Susan, says her son will stay as long as he feels able.

The junior prom committee donated the money for Michael's prom tickets and his tuxedo, for which Susan says the family is very grateful.

Mrs. Hetzer said doctors have said Michael, who has had several skin grafts and contracted pneumonia and a staff infection during his two-week stay in West Penn's burn unit, is now progressing well.

The Hetzers says they are grateful for all the donations and help from Cornell staff and students.

Michael was able to visit Cornell last week as a blood drive was conducted in his honor to replenish blood he used while at West Penn.

A total of 19 pints were collected.

The school's Key Club and Bio-Chem Club also conducted an ice cream social to raise nearly $455 for the Hetzer family.

In addition, Steve Karscig, instructional aide, organized a Battle of the Bands competition, of which $50 from the proceeds was donated to the Hetzers.

Mrs. Hetzer said Zilch and other local bands will perform on Friday, May 9, at RPM's in Bridgeville and will collect donations. Doodle Ranch Inn, Coraopolis, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School also collected funds.

The family also is grateful to local churches, in particular Coraopolis Presbyterian Church, for keeping Michael in their prayers along with Coraopolis, Neville Island and Robinson fire departments and Valley Ambulance for their quick response to the fire April 5.

The Hetzers were awakened around 6 a.m. when their dog, Chunk, a rottweiler, started barking.

Susan headed down the steps as she thought the dog just wanted fed. Her son, Louis, also woke up and was in the process of taking the dog outside when he saw the smoke.

Michael was still in his room and didn't wake up when the dog barked.

Mrs. Hetzer said the family had made a fire plan when one of the kids brought home a paper from school, but because of the heat, the window in Michael's room had expanded, and he was unable to open it.

Michael's father, Louis Jr., went back up the stairs calling to his son. Michael didn't answer as he had made his way to across the hall to the other side of the house.

Mrs. Hetzer said the smoke was so thick her husband wasn't able to see Michael, but he was able to feel him on the stairs. Louis ended up climbing out a window onto the roof the home.

As Louis E., Michael's older brother, pulled hard on the front door to get back into the house, the window shattered from the heat.

He was able to find Michael and they both exited through the front door.

"It seemed like it took forever," Mrs. Hetzer said, "but it was only 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. It was like it happened in slow motion."

Mrs. Hetzer said she had a lot of memories of the now uninhabitable home, that housed her family for 10 years and originally belonged to her grandparents.

"But, I'm just happy everyone got out," she said.

The fire is still under investigation, and the Hetzer family is staying with relatives until Michael is fully recovered.

Mrs. Hetzer said the family also is awaiting word from their insurance company.

"Right now, we're just playing it day by day."