Tri-State museum unveils 'Fire Escape' game to help teach kids lifesaving skills

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A new interactive video game at the Cincinnati Fire Museum is designed to teach children how to safely escape a house fire. Developers say the immersive experience could help save lives by reinforcing critical safety decisions. Created at the University of Cincinnati, the first-of-its-kind "Fire Escape" game puts kids inside a simulated house fire, challenging them to make real-time decisions that mirror life-threatening scenarios. The game recreates the urgency of an emergency, complete with the steady beep of a fire alarm and smoke filling rooms.

Players must decide how to respond, including whether it's safe to open doors or windows. Senior Tyler McCall built the game in the university's Digital Futures Lab, designing each room with interactive elements. "All across the house there is something in every room you are intended to interact with in some way," said McCall. McCall collaborated with lab director D'Arcy Smith, who brought years of experience coaching performers for AAA video games.

"I wanted to build something that helped kids and used gameplay to teach them how to be safe," Smith said. Cincinnati firefighters contributed real-world insight to ensure the scenarios reflect actual fire conditions. The game reinforces key lessons, like staying low under smoke and prioritizing escape over belongings. "Just get out of the house.

Don't worry about your toys," Smith said. The only place to play it for now is at the Cincinnati Fire Museum. Early players, like children Jack and Lily, found the simulation both challenging and realistic. "This is hard to control.

The smoke is getting worse," Jack said during gameplay. They were visiting the museum from Detroit with their grandparents. James Tyburski, who is a grandfather and surgeon in a burn unit, has a special interest in fire prevention. He called the game "an excellent tool to show them the concepts of getting out of a burning house and what's important." The project involved multiple university departments, including student voice actors and esports lab testers.

Smith noted the collaboration helped create a high-quality experience at minimal cost. The University of Cincinnati's Office of Technology Transfer has licensed the game, with plans to expand its reach beyond the museum. "Fire Escape" is expected to be released later this year as a free download for schools and families.