WAVERLY, Pa. — Dozens of volunteer firefighters were called to a house fire Wednesday morning in Lackawanna County. The home was badly damaged, but the two people who lived there and their pets got out safely.
Charles Debates knew something wasn't right when he passed the house on his way to paint another on Miller Road in Waverly Township.
"I was driving to work, and I saw the smoke real low and, like I said, I did work just behind the house, so I was a little concerned it might be the customer I know. And then I saw smoke coming from under the eaves, I have a wood stove, I know that's not where the smoke should be coming from, so I pulled in the driveway."
With a t-shirt covering his face, Debates went inside and told a man to get out. Then he went back in for an older man who was in the smoke-filled living room.
"I walked in three, four feet, grabbed him, walked him outside. And then came out and called 911. I went back to check on him, and he's back in the house, looking for his cats. He had a cat in his arms. I grabbed him and walked him back out again, and got him to sit down. And then one of the fire department people showed up, and I kind of stepped to the side and let them do their thing," Debates said.
Firefighters from departments all over Lackawanna County showed up. EMTs took care of Emmy the cat, and firefighters found a second cat unharmed inside the house.
A state police fire marshal says the fire was likely sparked by either an extension cord or a phone charger plugged in in an upstairs bedroom. The home took on a lot of damage, but fire officials say they had Debates to thank for getting the two men who lived here out safely.
"He was very helpful in making sure people were out. He gave us that information, and he made sure that they stayed out. Because there was some issues that they wanted to go back in, and he was able to keep them out, so getting him here quickly was good," said Clarks Summit Fire Chief Jay Miller.
"I just always feel like you've got to do something," Debates said. "So I'm glad they got out, and everyone's safe."