By T.J. Pignataro
The Buffalo News
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo firefighters crawled into a burning Gatchell Street home Wednesday night and pulled a man to safety.
The blaze broke out at about 8:30 p.m. in the front apartment of the 11/2-story home at 122 Gatchell in the city’s Broadway-Bailey neighborhood. A woman who lived in the rear flat smelled smoke, called 911 and led several others to safety.
“There were real heavy smoke conditions and serious fire conditions throughout the structure,” said fire Division Chief Scott Barry.
While crews from Ladder 14 broke down the door, Barry said, Engine 22 firefighters went in and found a man near a door.
“They crawled in and carried him out,” said Barry, adding that the rescue occurred before water even hit the blaze.
“That’s certainly their job, but it doesn’t diminish their bravery,” he added.
The victim was “not responsive, but he was still breathing,” said Barry, who noted the victim appeared to have suffered burns and smoke inhalation. He was taken by Rural/Metro Medical Service to Erie County Medical Center.
The victim’s name was unavailable. However, Joyce Weber, the resident of the rear apartment who called 911, identified him as “Louie” and said he was in his 30s.
Weber said that after she smelled smoke, she woke up her husband. “When I called 911, I thought it was the attic on fire,” she said. "[My husband] went up to the attic. When he went up there, I got everybody out.”
Four pet birds were rescued, but the fate of three cats is unknown. The cause of the blaze was undetermined. By the time the flames were extinguished, the front of the house had been charred and the rest of the structure was substantially damaged.
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