Man rescued by Charleroi firefighters; fundraiser started for family

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family that lives in the McKean Avenue home.

By the MVI

A Charleroi man who suffered burns over nearly 60% of his body was rescued from a house fire Thursday morning.

Charleroi Fire Department crews were called to the house at 1004 McKean Ave., at 11:52 a.m. The fire department’s two paid firefighters were at the scene moments later and found a working fire on the second floor with confirmed entrapment.

Fire Capt. Matt Prentice immediately entered the structure and pulled the victim from the burning home, the fire department stated in a Facebook post.

In addition, a Charleroi street department employee who is also a volunteer firefighter, assisted with getting the man out.

Five cats perished in the fire, which spread to the house next door.

Other Charleroi volunteer firefighters arrived, along with several mutual aid fire departments to extinguish the fire. A second alarm was called due to the heat and nature of the fire.

“A staffed firehouse truly makes a difference. An outstanding job to Captain Matt Prentice who made the grab and Engineer Kris Wergin for getting handlines in place to fight the blaze,” the fire department stated on Facebook. “Thank you to all units on scene and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and family.”

A GoFundMe online fundraising page was created by Dawn Miller for Adam, Emily and Brian.

“This morning, a family lost so much of their home in a house fire and they desperately need our help,” Miller states on the GoFund-Me page. “Adam was at work with my husband when he got the call no one ever wants to get. When he made it back to his apartment, he arrived to find the upper floor in flames and first responders already on site. By God’s grace, his girlfriend Emily and 4-year-old son made it out safely. His girlfriend’s father, Brian, was not as fortunate. Firefighters were able to get him out, but not before he suffered severe burns to his body, resulting in him being flown to a Pittsburgh trauma facility for his extensive injuries. This family has not only lost their home and possessions but also beloved pets in this horrific blaze.

“Brian has suffered burns over 57% of his body. Please lift him, his family, and his care team up in prayer. The fire marshal said foul play is not suspected and the bulk of the fire damage was contained to Brian’s room. That said, there’s extensive water and smoke damage throughout the house, so ‘soft goods’ like beds/bedding, clothing, etc. will be needed. They have not yet been back inside the house so they have not yet fully grasped the gravity of their situation but I am sure it is dire.”

Brian is currently in the West Penn Hospital burn unit.

To donate, go to https://www.gofundme. com/f/z5rve3-help-adams-family- rebuild-after-devastating-fire.