Hometown heroes honored in Charleroi for saving man’s life

The men were honored during Charleroi council’s meeting Wednesday night.

Not all heroes wear capes, but a lot of them do wear turn out gear.

Residents, family, friends and firefighters packed Charleroi council chambers Wednesday to recognize the valorous efforts of firefighters and street department employees who helped to save a man’s life and his home during a fire last week.

Firefighters were called to 1004 McKean Ave. around 11:50 a.m. last Thursday to a working house fire with confirmed entrapment.

The borough’s two paid firefighters, Capt. Matt Prentice and Engineer Kris Wergin were first to arrive on scene, and without hesitation, got to work.

Prentice climbed to the roof of the porch to try to reach Brian Tuttle, who could be heard pounding on a window on the second floor, but he was unable to reach him so he quickly pivoted.

He was able to enter the home from the first floor and made his way upstairs surrounded by fire and thick smoke, where he found a man lying, severely burned in the hallway.

Prentice carried him to safety while Wergin and members of the public works department, Joe Dzurko, who also serves as Belle Vernon Fire Co.’s assistant chief and Luther Nails, got to work accessing water to contain the blaze before it spread to neighboring homes.

Tuttle was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital to be treated for severe burns that covered nearly 60% of his body, where he is still recovering.

Firefighters and the others who helped rescue the man, save his home and the homes of neighbors, accepted plaques from the borough to recognize their courage on Thursday, but they didn’t do it for recognition, saving a life was more than enough.

The men were also recognized by state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, for running towards danger instead of in the opposite direction.

“What you guys have done has shown everyone, not just in our community, but all across Pennsylvania what it is like for our firefighters and what you do every single day. When you go to a call, you don’t know what you’re facing, what’s going to be there, how bad it might be or how big it might get, but you go in with laser focus to help people.”

Members of council beamed as their own hometown heroes humbly stood together holding their plaques and members of the audience stood from their seats to applaud.

“Our borough employees are amazing, to say the very least,” said council President Kristin Hopkins said.

“Mr. Rogers once said, ‘When I was a boy, I would see scary things in the news and my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers, so many caring people in this world.’ Thanks to the bravery of our employees on scene that day, a tragedy was averted… We are so proud and thankful to each one of them for being our helpers here in Charleroi. We are beyond blessed to have them here caring for our community and us all.”

When Prentice pulled that man from his burning home last week, it marked four years to the day he ran into a burning home in Monessen to search for children on the second floor and a joist broke sending him to the first floor.

He shattered his humerus on his left side and was burned on his back, along with other bumps and bruises, but thankfully came home to his family. It took three months for Prentice to recover before he was cleared to return to the fire service.

His wife, Meg, and his son, Cole, couldn’t be prouder.

“My son and I are just amazed by him,” she said. “Cole says everyday that he wants to be just like his daddy. That he is his hero. His dedication, leadership and love for the job is astonishing and that’s one of the things I love most about him. He is one of the hardest workers, the entire department works hard. They give it their all every time that whistle blows.”

For fire chief and Councilman Robert Whiten Jr. he knows he can count on his firefighters to do their best, every time, every call, no matter what.

“They don’t want the recognition, but it’s important that people see what they do and know they are there,” Whiten said. “Everyone that day did their job, and they did it well. From Matt and Kris to the street department, our borough manager who drove from Washington when he heard to see what we needed, Councilman Larry Celaschi texting to see if there is anything he could do, right now everyone in this borough is working together. Finally, we’re all working as a team and I can’t tell you how proud that makes me. It’s a good feeling.”

In the eyes of the community, his courage is a shining light, a beacon of hope.

Resident Tom Yohe, who attends every council meeting and often offers advice or expresses concern about borough matters, had expressions of gratitude to offer last night.

“That fire in Monessen, there was a report somebody was inside, and the house was in bad shape, full of flames, but Matt went in and he got hurt really bad. But he went in then and he went in again last Thursday. A lot of people would have gotten hurt that one time and never do it again, but Matt has courage and he has enough love in his heart to do it again. Well, we lost our glass factory, Rite-Aid is out and we lost 100 jobs across the tracks at the pasta factory,” Yohe said. “People say there’s no hope for Charleroi, but I disagree. We have hope here. Because of these guys here, there is hope for Charleroi, the future is in them. As bleak as it may seem, there is hope.”

Celaschi and Mayor Gregg Doerfler also expressed their gratitude to the men, not only those involved in last week’s heroic efforts, but all of those who volunteer and put their lives in harms way for the greater good.

“You always come through, man,” Doerfler said. “It’s hard to explain. I’ve been there with you, I’ve run in with you and it makes me really proud to be the mayor of this town.”

A fundraiser to help the family has been organized by family friend, Dawn Miller.

To donate go to https://gofund. me/cf8b5055.

The family is also accepting donations of clothes, 5T/6T (boy), child shoes size 11 (boy), men’s L shirts and size 10 shoes and women’s L clothing and size 8 shoes.

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser is also planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Ginger Hill Grange in Finleyville.