After the destruction and havoc caused by a house fire on North Center Street in Bradford on Sunday morning, the heroic firefighters who extinguished the flames went one step further and rescued a 10-year-old’s birthday party plans.
Sunday at 9:47 a.m. the City of Bradford Fire Department was dispatched to 55 North Center St. for a structure fire, Capt. Mike Scrivo of the Bradford City Fire Department reported.
Upon their arrival, Scrivo found flames coming out of a side window and black smoke coming from the rest of the windows and doors of the home.
McKean County Dispatch was notified of a working fire and they immediately dispatched a second alarm for the fire. The second alarm brought in all off-duty Bradford City firemen, Chief Eric Taylor, Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department.
The firemen first to arrive on the scene made a quick knockdown of the main body of fire, as the off-duty personnel were arriving. According to Scrivo, the home had a lot of void spaces in the attic areas so secondary crews went to work opening up these areas, from inside and outside, so water could be administered to stop the fire from spreading.
While the family retired to safety, Bradford City firefighter Drew Shreve rescued the family’s cat and firefighter Tyler Blair administered oxygen to the cat after the rescue to help stabilize it.
“Once the primary search was done, all occupants were confirmed out of the house and most of the fire was out, firefighter Rob Brinsky noticed that there was a table with gifts, balloons and food,” recalled Mike Campogiani, President of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 655 and lieutenant paramedic at Bradford City Fire Department.
Union Vice President Brinksy reported to Taylor what he had found in the home. “Rob thought that we should replace the presents since they were most likely ruined from the smoke and water damage,” stated Campogiani.
According to Campogiani, he spoke with a resident of the home, Roxann, who relayed that they had planned on having a 10th birthday party for her daughter, August, later that day.
“I told her that we would like to replace the toys that were ruined and provide food if needed,” Campogiani stated. “We all agreed that IAFF Local 655 would pay for the gifts. We all thought this was a terrible way to begin a 10th birthday party and replacing the gifts was the least we could do.”
After the toys were purchased they were delivered by the duty crew — Scrivo, Paramedic Brinsky, Firefighter Chris Spaich, Firefighter Nathan Mealy, Firefighter Drew Shreve and Campogiani.
“It was a great idea by Robbie and everyone involved,” Taylor relayed with exuberation. “I couldn’t be more proud of the department than I was on Sunday! No one was doing this for any recognition, they were doing it because the girls’ birthday presents were lost in the fire.”
Homeowner Bonnie Austin purchased 55 North Center Street only a month ago, according to Montana Moore, Austin’s daughter-in-law, who has organized a GoFundMe page to raise awareness and money to support the family.
“The house is a total loss. It took on a lot of fire, heat and smoke damage throughout. The property owner did not have any insurance,” reported Taylor.
“The fire was investigated by the Bradford City Fire Department’s investigation team and found to be accidental in nature,” said Scrivo.
Any individual who wishes to help this family since, according to Moore, “the house will most likely be demolished,” can do so by visiting https://gofund.me/2c40d11e.
