Plum woman rescued from her burning home by police and neighbor

A 77-year-old Plum woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation Thursday afternoon after being rescued from her burning home by her neighbor and borough police.

Resident Butch Bankert said he was going back and forth between his house and shed along the 200 block of Frontenac Road when he got a call from a friend about a police officer running to the back of his neighbor’s house.

Bankert said he saw the officer with a fire extinguisher and knew something was wrong.

Smoke and flames were billowing from inside the two-story home at 211 Frontenac Road. The woman inside was yelling to officers from a second-floor bedroom window, but the flames blocked her escape, according to Plum police. Officers tried to get inside but were pushed back by the smoke and heat.

Bankert said they used ladders and an ax to get to the woman and save her.

“We had to break the center of the window out, and we pulled her out from the window in the back,” Bankert said. “I think she was in a bedroom. It was a little intense for a little bit. Smoke was rolling pretty good.

“As soon as we got her out the window, the kitchen right beside it got engulfed. There were flames shooting out. It was pretty close.”

Firefighters from Oakmont, Upper and Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Penn Hills and Monroeville also responded to the call about 2:15 p.m.

The officer was identified by other first responders on scene as Sgt. Eric Zdobinski, who left work for the day shortly after the rescue and could not be reached for comment.

Both Zdobinski and Bankert had climbed ladders to help free the woman, who was later transported by Plum EMS to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville.

“It was a team effort,” Bankert said. “My neighbor, Jake Matter, he came over and grabbed my ax and stuff. He was right on the ball.

“I’m just glad I was home. I didn’t see anything when I walked up to the shed. She seemed to be OK. I think she had a lot of smoke inhalation.”

Plum EMS operations director Brian Maloney said he could not comment on the woman’s condition. One officer had a laceration injury from the broken glass and others had smoke inhalation, according to police. The officer and two firefighters were treated for minor injuries and released at the scene, Maloney said.

Logans Ferry Heights Volunteer Fire Department safety officer Steve Marsh said firefighters were able to knock down the fire quickly. No damage was sustained to neighboring houses.

He said the Red Cross is providing the woman with shelter. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

Marsh said he was happy the woman was rescued but cautioned civilians about entering burning buildings.

“We always like to hear the story of citizens helping, but we have to be mindful because firefighters wear a lot of protective gear that citizens and police do not have,” Marsh said. “It was great that they were able to help, but we have to be cautious. It was a great effort by the Plum police and individuals who helped.”

Marsh said he also appreciated the response from the multiple fire departments.

“It was a daylight call-out,” he said. “Residential structure fires typically need a lot of manpower. We are a volunteer-based service. When an active fire is on scene, you can shoot through a lot of manpower. It’s better to have manpower than be requesting it.”

Crews began clearing the scene around 3:30 p.m.