Current:Home > ScamsNeighbor risks life to save man, woman from house fire in Pennsylvania: Watch heroic act -Aspire Money Growth
Neighbor risks life to save man, woman from house fire in Pennsylvania: Watch heroic act
View
Date:2025-04-24 19:50:53
In a dramatic rescue, a brave neighbor is seen pulling residents out of a Pennsylvania home that became engulfed by black smoke.
In the video from the incident on April 14, you can hear on lookers yelling for one of the men to get out of the Minersville home, 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Firefighters below can be seen hastily getting their equipment ready to bring the man to safety, according to Storyful.
“Come on! Come on! Come on!” yelled Janeen Huth, a passerby who recorded the heroic scene as she was on her way home. “Come on buddy, get out!”
People in the street are heard yelling for the man to get out of the house through the top floor window.
The brave citizen, identified as Oscar Rivera, pulled the man from the window while balancing himself on the roof.
“Grab his pants!” Huth said.
Rivera then pulled the man through the window. People that were watching in the street clapped and cheered for the man’s rescue. A firefighter is then seen climbing up a ladder to bring the man and woman, that were already on the roof, to safety.
In a split second, the smoke gained more momentum and got thicker, making it hard to see the three people on the roof.
“Come on get them down!” Huth said. “Just move her over!”
A firefighter was able to get all three of the people from the roof and to safety.
Huth told Storyful that Rivera saved the woman and elderly man as his children witnessed their father’s heroic event unfold.
Fire destroys:Copenhagen's historic Old Stock Exchange as residents race to save treasures
Minersville Mayor thanked brave neighbor and others for springing into action
In a Facebook post, Minersville Mayor Sean Palmer thanked Oscar Rivera for helping to bring his neighbors to safety.
“First of all I would like to publicly thank the individuals who sprung into action to save those two individuals,” Palmer wrote in the post. “Mr. Rivera was a civilian who was first on the scene. He showed bravery and was able to extract a man and women from the top floor window of the burning building.”
Palmer then thanked the firefighters who helped during the rescue.
“I would also like to recognize the two volunteer fire fighters who went up ladders to the top floor to get them all down,” Palmer said. “Fire Chief Mike Melochick from the Mountaineer Hose Company #1 and volunteer fire fighter Luke Heffron from Minersville Fire Rescue. These two volunteer fire fighters went up the ladder to get all three of them off the roof and out of harms way.”
Palmer said that both firefighters were treated for severe smoke inhalation but are expected to be okay.
Red Cross says multiple people were displaced because of the fire
The Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter helped the families that were impacted by the fire.
"Our Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter did respond and provided support to the 19 people impacted by this fire," Stephanie Fox, media relations lead for the American Red Cross National Headquarters told USA TODAY. "Support provided included immediate assistance and caseworker assessment of each families situation and what individual needs they may have."
Fox said 15 adults and four children were helped by the Pennsylvania Chapter.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X @forbesfineest.
veryGood! (69967)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Reno casino expansion plan includes new arena that could be University of Nevada basketball home
- Climate change and the shift to cleaner energy push Southeast Asia to finally start sharing power
- Germany increases border patrols along migrant ‘smuggling routes’ to Poland and Czech Republic
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Mariners pitcher George Kirby struck by baseball thrown by fan from stands
- Remember When George and Amal Clooney's Star-Studded, $4.6 Million Wedding Took Over Venice?
- Man with boogaloo ties convicted in shooting death of federal officer during protests over George Floyd killing
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- At Jai Paul’s kickoff show, an elusive pop phenomenon proves his stardom in a live arena
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Powerball jackpot up to $850 million after months without a big winner
- Long COVID has affected nearly 7% of American adults, CDC survey data finds
- Breanna Stewart's Liberty even series with Alyssa Thomas' Sun after 'emotional' MVP reveal
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- The natural disaster economist
- 'Dancing With the Stars' dives into Scandoval with Ariana Madix: 'Scandal does not define me'
- Nebraska police standoff stretches into day 2 with hostage still trapped in home
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Montana judge blocks enforcement of law to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors
Wael Hana, co-defendant in Robert Menendez case, arrested at JFK
Demi Moore Shakes Off a Nip Slip Like a Pro During Paris Fashion Week
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Nashawn Breedlove, rapper who played Lotto in Eminem's film debut '8 Mile,' dies at 46
Angelina Jolie Shares Rare Insight into Life With Her and Brad Pitt's Kids
John Legend, 'The Voice' 4-chair 'king,' beats Niall Horan in winning over Mara Justine with duet