Vandergrift emergency responders earn state honors for saving boy from house fire

A 12-year-old Vandergrift boy is alive thanks to the quick work of borough first responders.

Lifesavers included firefighters Eric Sorrels and John Uskuraitis, police officers Nathan Rigatti, Jerrod Thompson and Sgt. Anthony DePanicis.

They all received the Valor Award from the Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania at Monday night’s council meeting.

“It is certainly an honor on our part to recognize valor, service throughout the state,” association past President Richard Grove said.

“It’s even better when it’s local … They have really earned these awards.”

The honors were awarded in recognition of service at a fire Jan. 13 around 2:40 p.m. at 150 Franklin Ave., where a family was trapped in a burning three-story home.

Sorrels said he just got off work at ATI when the call came in. As more information was relayed, he feared the worst.

Dark billowing smoke and flames filled the home and a boy was trapped in a third-floor bedroom.

“The adrenaline started, but when they said confirmed entrapment, I felt sick to the stomach,” he said. “Everything was in slow motion that day like we couldn’t get there fast enough.”

The group also got a similar award from the Western Pennsylvania Fireman’s Association in August.

Fire Chief Randy Dunmire said officers made several attempts to enter the third floor to rescue the boy, but were driven back by heavy smoke and flames. Police used multiple fire extinguishers from their patrol cars in an effort to hold back the fire until crews arrived.

Sorrels and Uskuraitis were able to reach the boy, who was found unresponsive in a closet.

“I remember seeing a shoe,” Sorrels said. “I reached down and grabbed the shoe and there was something attached to the shoe. That’s when realized it was the kid. He had covered himself up with clothes.”

They brought the boy down to medics on the street, who treated him before he was flown to UPMC Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh. He was placed on a ventilator and underwent several procedures to clear his lungs, according to the chief’s report.

The boy has since made a full recovery.

“That’s a great feeling,” Sorrels said. “That’s reward in itself … I’m not a hero, just doing my job.”

The group also received framed certificates of valor from borough officials at the council meeting.

“I’m very proud of each and every one of them,” said Dunmire. “They were able to save a young child’s life. Now he gets to grow up and enjoy the rest of his life. We’ve been to so many calls over the years where the result wasn’t as favorable. We’ve had too many fatal fires throughout our careers.”

The chief said he hopes to schedule a visit with the family and the first responders sometime this year.