By Jewels Phraner
The Tribune-Review
BROWNSVILLE, Pa. — Three California Borough firefighters are recovering after a brick wall collapsed on them while they were fighting a blaze early Sunday in Brownsville.
The fire broke out at about 1:30 a.m. in a duplex at 505-507 Baltimore St. and the structure was engulfed by the time firefighters arrived on scene, according to Clark Sealy, chief of Brownsville Fire Company No. 1.
Several firefighters were inside the home attempting to stop the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.
“We had to take a defensive stand with the fire,” Sealy said. “There were several exposed structures nearby that we were trying to save.”
Sealy said the firefighters were trying to leave the house because they didn’t feel safe when the wall collapsed, causing the floor to drop about 3 feet.
The firefighters fell down into the floor, with the rubble landing on top of them, Sealy said.
“Everyone moved quick. There were other guys in the room with them that grabbed them right away, and we immediately began getting the bricks and rubble off of them. We were able to extricate them quickly and get them medical treatment right away,” he said.
Firefighters John Moser and Jameson Roth suffered injuries to their arms and were taken via ambulance to Mon Valley Hospital in Carroll Township. Firefighter Jeff Tuday suffered a back injury and was flown to UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh. All have been released and are recovering at home, Sealy said.
“I talked to them all today, and they are all doing really well. They have some battle injuries, for sure, but they are expected to make a full recovery,” he said. “And that’s due to the training and professionalism of everyone involved.”
No one else was injured in the fire. One woman, who was living at 505 Baltimore St., was able to escape the blaze. The home at 507 Baltimore St. was unoccupied. A neighboring building with three apartments was evacuated after the wall collapsed, but Sealy said the residents were able to return home last night.
Sealy said the building was a total loss.
“We were able to keep the fire contained to 507, but after the wall collapsed, it’s not structurally sound. It will have to be torn down,” he said.
The Red Cross is helping the woman who lived at 505 Baltimore St. with temporary housing.
California Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Hartley did not return phone calls for comment.
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