Detective rescues elderly woman from burning New Kensington home

A New Kensington detective is credited with saving an elderly woman’s life by rescuing her from her burning home, according to city fire Chief Ed Saliba Jr.

Detective Sgt. Matt Saxman spotted flames coming from the house at 222 Valley St. shortly after 4:20 p.m. He called the fire in and rushed inside, finding the home’s sole occupant.

Even though the home’s smoke detectors were going off, the woman did not realize her house was on fire, Saliba said.

“She was inside and did not know,” Saliba said. “He saved her life. If it wasn’t for that, she probably would have been trapped in her back room.”

Saxman could not immediately be reached for comment.

The woman lives alone with five dogs. She and her pets escaped with no injuries, according to Saliba.

Firefighters arrived within minutes. Saliba saw flames pouring out of the house. The fire had spread throughout the building, including to the attic.

“When our crews got there, they started knocking everything down and went in after it,” Saliba said.

They had the fire under control within an hour.

The house was heavily damaged. Saliba said it’s too early to say whether it will be declared a total loss.

A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. Evidence suggests it was electrical, but it is too early for a final determination, Saliba said.

Saxman was the first person to report the blaze. Westmoreland County 911 never received a call, a dispatcher said.

The woman is staying with relatives, Saliba said.