By Jesse Leavenworth
The Hour
SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Connecticut firefighters who were vacationing in Maine roused residents who were sleeping in a burning house Tuesday and helped them escape, earning praise from the local fire department.
The occupants “escaped uninjured because of the quick actions of these two vacationing firefighters,” John Brennan, deputy fire chief in Scarborough, Maine, said in a news release.
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The East Putnam Fire Department identified the pair as firefighters Brandon Seney and Dylan Vincent, who joined the volunteer agency in 2019 and also serve as career firefighters with other departments.
“We are incredibly proud of Brandon and Dylan,” the East Putnam department posted on its Facebook page. “Their actions exemplify the dedication, professionalism and commitment to protecting others that we strive to instill in all of our members. Their quick thinking and selfless actions made a difference when every second counted.”
Scarborough emergency dispatchers received multiple calls at 12:25 p.m. that a 2 1/2 -story house on Sea Meadows Lane was on fire and occupants might be trapped, according to the Maine department’s news release. The two Connecticut firefighters were in the area on their way to Old Orchard Beach when they saw smoke coming from the house, the release said.
“They immediately stopped to investigate and discovered fire traveling up the rear of the house extending to the roof line,” the release said. “Both firefighters made entry into the home and found two adults sleeping on the first floor. They were able to wake them up and escort them safely from the building.”
The two men then used a fire extinguisher and garden hose to try and keep the fire from spreading until responding crews arrived, the release said.
Firefighters had the fire under control shortly after 1 p.m., the release said. The specific cause of the blaze was not listed in the release, but it was found to be accidental, according to Brennan. No one was hurt, but one Maine firefighter was taken to a hospital for evaluation and treated and released, the deputy chief wrote.
” The Scarborough Fire Department would like to thank the two Connecticut firefighters for their assistance at this afternoon’s fire,” he wrote.
“Great job, Brandon and Dylan,” the East Putnam volunteer department posted, " and thank you for representing East Putnam so well.”
Department spokesperson Dan Majercik said Wednesday that neither firefighter wanted to be interviewed.
“They appreciate the interest and coverage,” Majercik said, “but do not wish to be in the spotlight. They simply believe they did what anyone in their position should have done and are grateful for the positive outcome.”
The Maine Wire reported that one of the two brothers who were saved, Sam DePaolo, described Seney and Vincent as “the angels on our shoulders.”
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