After rescuing a man from a burning building in the borough of Girardville earlier this week, Fire Chief Frank Zangari says the real heroes are the volunteer firefighters that came to assist at the scene.
Just prior to 7:45pm, Tuesday, emergency personnel were dispatched to 341 North 2nd Street in Girardville, for a working structure fire.
Girardville Fire Chief Frank Zangari was first to arrive on scene and found heavy smoke coming from the three attached homes of 339, 341, and 343.
A check for occupants led to the finding of Andrew Petrosky inside one of the homes trying to escape. Zangari said he found the victim disoriented inside the smoke filled home and pulled him out to safety. Petrosky was not injured.
After many of the headlines from news sources like Fire and Film read "Girardville Fire Chief Pulls One Out of House Fire" or the Republican Herald read "Girardville Chief Rescues Man from House Fire", Chief Zangari contacted Skook News, personally, to thank all the volunteers who came to the scene to help.
"The real kudos goes to the men and women who showed up that day at a moment's notice" Chief Zangari said Friday morning.
Zangari said even though he was the first firefighter on scene, any of the other volunteers would have made the grab.
Firefighters from surrounding Schuylkill County and Northumberland County communities responded to the scene for the fire including Ashland, Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Frackville, Mount Carmel, West Mahanoy Township, and Butler Township.
"Our fire companies work great together and are always helping others. At the drop of a hat, they will drop everything to come to your aid" said Zangari.
Zangari also specifically thanked the dispatchers at the Schuylkill County Communications Center. "Every call starts there", Zangari said. "Every second counts at the scene of an emergency, and without their professionalism, any situation could have a whole different outcome."
Zangari also thanked Ashland Fire Chief Philip Groody during the fire. "He is like a brother to me, and I know when I need him at the scene, he will have my back, and I will have his. While I focused on getting the victim out of the home, Chief Groody was establishing a water supply." Zangari said.
Zangari also referenced the aid that was provided to Gilberton during flooding over the last week.
"When disaster hits anywhere in Schuylkill County, help will be on the way" Zangari said. "No matter who, what, when or where.".
During the flooding, help came from all over Schuylkill County and parts of Northumberland to help in pumping flood waters and helping evacuate victims.
"These volunteers deserve all the credit" Zangari said.
Zangari also said there is always a need for more volunteer firefighters. "You don't necessarily need to fight fires to be a member of a fire company. We always need help rolling hose, cleaning up, and helping with fundraisers." Zangari said anyone interested should reach out to their local fire company.
Story by J. Reed