Pa. firefighter hurt trying to rescue dog from fire

John D. Thomas, 40, of the West Alexander Volunteer Fire Department was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation

March 11, 2014 04:17 AM

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — A Washington County firefighter was overcome by smoke on Monday while trying to rescue a pet dog from a burning home in Donegal, state police said.

John D. Thomas, 40, of the West Alexander Volunteer Fire Department was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

He tried to rescue the dog from a burning home on Ealy Road, state police said. Troopers did not say if the dog survived.

Firefighters from several communities responded to the alarm, which sounded at 9:39 a.m.

Damage was estimated at $40,000 to what troopers described as a mobile home. The fire marshal believes the fire, which damaged the living room and kitchen, started in the chimney of a wood burner. The cause was determined to be accidental.

A Butler County man, Paul Jarvis Jr., 22, was killed Saturday when he ran back inside his burning home in Butler in an attempt to rescue family pets, firefighters said.