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Cat Among Honorees at Red Cross Hero Awards

WILLIAMSPORT — A group of unexpected heroes, including a cat, received awards Friday in Williamsport. The American Red Cross celebrates those who have don...

WILLIAMSPORT -- A group of unexpected heroes, including a cat, received awards Friday in Williamsport.

The American Red Cross celebrates those who have done heroic things in central Pennsylvania.

The Red Cross knows that in an emergency situation, the entire community can come together. The awards handed out Friday went to unexpected heroes who, during a serious situation, stepped in and helped save lives.

"This is great, you know, I don't feel like I deserve it," said Bill Nickell of Lock Haven.

The heroes in the roomful of people at Genetti's in Williamsport included the police officer, the football coach and a cat.

"She's definitely our hero, but now she's a recognized hero," said Robin Dadzie about Patience, the hero cat.

The American Red Cross recognizes people who have done selfless acts of bravery in their community.

About a dozen people, along with Patience the cat, were nominated and received the Spirit of the Hero Award.

"She woke us up very early on a Saturday morning because there was smoke and turns out our kitchen was on fire," Dadzie explained.

Back in December, Newswatch 16 was there for a different fire, this one at Stephen Pirbble's home in Lock Haven.

"A young man was pointing back at the house yelling, 'fire!'" he recalled.

Pirbble lived on one side of a double-block home with three roommates. They all work together at Lock Haven University.

After being alerted to the fire by a passing boy, all four men helped their neighbors get out of the burning building, even carrying one elderly man to safety.

"Sandy just happened to look at me and said, 'my dad's upstairs, will you go get him?' So I did. I just went up there grabbed him, woke him up, and you know, he got out safely," said Bill Nickell.

Nearly three months later, there is still yellow tape up at the home. Neighbors have moved out because their home was damaged by fire. Those men never knew who that little boy was who knocked on their door that one December morning, alerting them of the fire.

"Yeah, you know big thanks to him, but we didn't get a chance to see him or thank him," said Pirbble.

"They thanked me in person and that was enough for me. I didn't need all of this," said Nickell.

You can contact your local Red Cross if you would like to nominate someone for the Spirit of the Hero Award.

 

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