A Bradford man was rescued from a burning building early Sunday morning by Bradford City Police after an officer called in the fire.
The early morning blaze, at about 2:15 a.m. on Chestnut Street, was almost directly across the street from Bradford City Fire Department’s Central Fire Station at a two-story commercial building. The first floor held a laundromat, and the second floor had two apartments.
Bradford City Police Chief Chris Lucco explained Sgt. Butch Bartlett initially called in the blaze. He and Officer Clayton Yohe, with assistance from Foster Township Police Officer Shaun McDonald, were able to rescue Brandon Henton from an upstairs apartment.
“Bartlett and Yohe assisted the individual out of the building and down to the street, where Officer Shaun McDonald carried the guy over to the fire department,” Lucco said. Henton was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center by Bartlett, as both men were suffering from smoke inhalation.
Lucco said he had no information on Henton’s condition, but that Bartlett was treated and released. “I don’t believe there will be any long-term effects,” the chief said.
Capt. J.D. Tehle had command of the incident on behalf of the fire department. A release from the department said the dispatch came in at 2:16 a.m., and when Tehle “came down to the truck floor to respond, fire was visible from the station with the first floor of the building heavily involved in fire.”
He called for a second alarm, and off-duty firefighters were dispatched.
“First due units made a quick transitional attack, knocking the bulk of the fire down immediately while interior crews went to work searching for victims and knocking down the rest of the fire in high heat, low visibility conditions,” a release from the fire department read. “All occupants made it safely out and searches were negative. Extensive overhaul kept everyone on scene for about three hours.”
Firefighters were able to rescue one cat from an upstairs apartment, but a second cat perished.
“This was the second fire we have responded to in less than 24 hours,” a release from the fire department read.
City firefighters were assisted on scene by Bradford City Police, Bradford Township Police, Foster Township Police and Pennsylvania State Police. Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department took in the RIT assignment and Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department was placed on standby.
The state police fire marshal was called in to investigate. The fire was determined to have originated on the first floor near the front entrance, and was ruled accidental due to an electrical issue.
The building is owned by James Andrews of Bradford. Damage is estimated at $100,000.
