NEW CASTLE —
A New Bedford resident escaped his burning home with the help of a neighbor.
A fire broke out about 10:30 p.m. Friday at the home of Bob Burrows on Sharon-New Bedford Road at Willowbrook Drive, across from the former New Bedford School.
Burrows, 72, who lives alone, was at the home when the blaze broke out.
A neighbor across the road, Beverly Abranovich, saw the fire and alerted her husband, Eric. He called 911, then ran to the house after he saw flames blow out a front window.
Abranovich said he approached the house from the rear, where the fire had not yet reached, and found an open door. He went in and located Burrows, who had been trying to find his way out.
Burrows said he had become disoriented from the smoke and had inhaled some.
Abranovich was able to get Burrows out of the home and also moved a dog box away from the house to protect the pet.
Firefighters from the Pulaski, New Wilmington and Mahoning volunteer departments in Lawrence County responded, as did those from Shenango Township in Mercer County and Poland Township in Ohio. Also on the scene was the Pulaski Township Police Department, as well as crews from the Noga and Pulaski fire ambulance services.
According to Pulaski Township Fire Chief Guy Morse, the home was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. He said the lack of fire hydrants in the area posed a potential problem, but with pre-planning and the support of other departments there was a constant flow of water to fight the flames.
Although the house was essentially destroyed by the fire, Morse said, crews were able to save a nearby garage and large camper. About half the house was still standing after the blaze, but Morse said he expected it to be declared a total loss by the insurance company.
Morse pointed out the age of the home and the fact parts had been added on later created spots that made it difficult for firefighters to reach the flames. Crews were on the scene for about three hours, he said.
Through an examination of the fire and in speaking with Burrows, Morse said, it was determined the fire had begun in a chimney and has been ruled an accident. He noted Burrows had a woodburning stove.
The American Red Cross was assisting Burrows, who Morse said has lost everything in the fire.
(News editor Mitchel Olszak contributed to this report.)
Updates
Related Photos
-
Eric Abranovich is being credited with helping to rescue his neighbor, Bob Burrows, from Burrows’ burning home in New Bedford on Friday night.
Discussion
Homeowner saved from New Bedford fire
- Updates
-
-
Police: texting led to fatal accident
Police claim a woman’s texting on a cell phone contributed to a fatal accident earlier this month in Hickory Township. Laura E. Gargiulo, 42, of 2662 State Route 956, Volant, faces homicide by vehicle and other charges in connection with the May 7 death of Daniel E. Gallatin of Scott Township.
Continued ... -
Hillsville man dead following shooting
A Mahoning Township man involved in a weekend shooting has died. Joseph Lupo, 50, of 4812 W. Main St. in Hillsville was pronounced dead Thursday by the Mahoning County, Ohio, coroner’s office.
Continued ... -
Woman charged in fatal accident
A woman involved in a fatal accident in Hickory Township has been charged. Laura E. Gargiulo, 42, of 2662 State Route 956, Volant, faces charges of homicide by vehicle and others in the crash that led to the death of Daniel E. Gallatin of Scott Township.
Continued ... - Broken jaw leads to assault charge
- South Side robbery being probed
- Man reports being robbed on East Side
- Men riding four-wheelers help catch burglar suspects
- Police arrest South Side burglar suspects
- Wednesday
- Service will honor fallen officers
- Three city residents admit to drug ring role
- Man reported dead still alive
- Tuesday
- Suspect leads police on East Side chase
- Fire destroys mobile home
- Monday
- Prosecutors granted stay in Jordan Brown decision
- Suspect in officer’s death is arraigned
- Police: Man dies after husband, wife shoot each other
- Man accused of impeding firefighters
- Saturday
- East Sider facing theft charges
- South Side man faces gun charges
- Witness reports possible student abduction
- Friday
- Pedestrian’s death ruled suicide
- Neshannock Schools: Father concerned after alleged assault
- Pedestrian hit on I-376
- Woman accused in officer’s death waives extradition
- Thursday
- Man wanted in gun incident
-
