During a ceremony held at the Coaldale Fire Department, Borough officials and fire department leaders presented the Medal of Valor—the highest award bestowed upon a firefighter—to seven members of the Coaldale Fire Department and four members of the Tamaqua Fire Department.
The recognition stems from a harrowing incident on July 23, 2025, when fire crews were dispatched at 6:51 p.m. to a residential structure fire in Coaldale Borough. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy flames and were told that a juvenile remained trapped inside the home.
Firefighters immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation. Working through smoke and extreme heat, the team located and removed the teenager from the residence. The juvenile was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital via aeromedical transport, while an adult victim was transported by ground ambulance to a local hospital.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal.
Officials also used the occasion to remind residents of the importance of fire safety. Working smoke alarms and a practiced home escape plan, they emphasized, can mean the difference between life and death.
“This incident is a reminder that fire can strike without warning,” said a spokesperson. “Please test your smoke alarms and make sure every family member knows two ways out of every room.”