Utility worker credited with rescuing resident from burning row home
By Phil Tenser, Peter Eliopoulos
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SOMERVILLE, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Fire officials credited a utility worker for using a bucket truck to rescue a resident from a burning building on Monday in Somerville, Massachusetts.
According to Chief Charles Breen of the Somerville Fire Department, the Eversource employee was working nearby when they saw the fire. They used the bucket truck to help a woman out of the upper floor.
“She had climbed out a window onto the front porch under heavy smoke and fire conditions, and the Eversource worker got her into the bucket and got her to safety,” Breen said. “So I, I’d like to really give credit to that worker. He did a hell of a job. Definitely saved a woman’s life.”
The worker did not want to be identified but told NewsCenter 5 that he was working up the street and spotted the smoke.
He said he saw the woman stuck on the awning as she was trying to escape through the window. He drove down and extended his bucket truck to help her get to safety.
Breen said the rescued resident was not seriously injured, but they were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation.
Pictures from the scene show the resident sitting on the awning with flames burning to her right and the bucket truck waiting in front of her.
Sky5 flew over the building at 47 Marion St. after the flames were knocked down and saw heavy damage to both floors of a unit near the center of the building. Numerous firefighters were working on the roof, where some smoke was still visible.
“We were able to get ahead of it on both sides and stop into that one unit. However, all six units have suffered smoke and water damage,” Breen said.
The affected building is located on the south side of Lincoln Park, near the intersection with Wyatt Street. The intersection was closed for the emergency response.
Fire officials said the utility worker did not want to be identified.
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