Teamwork saved girl's life in Penn Township blaze, fire chief says

Teamwork helped avert a tragedy last month at a Penn Township house fire. Firefighters and paramedics worked together to get a young girl out of the burning building to safety, the Harrison City fire chief said Friday.

“It was teamwork. There were so many people who played an integral role,” said Harrison City Fire Chief Gene Good.

The five firefighers involved in the rescue were among those first responders and military veterans who were recognized during a ceremony at Penn-Trafford’s Warrior Stadium before the high school football game against Kiski Area.

Two Harrison City firefighters, Lt. Brandon Quinn and Capt. Zachary LaValle, were honored, along with Irwin 2nd Lt. Lou Scarlett, Irwin firefighter Scott Urias and Westmoreland City Capt. Brad Doshen.

All were given commendations Friday by the Harrison City Fire Department for their involvement in rescuing the young girl.

Eleven-year-old Kayli Kiss was found unconscious on the second floor of the house and was carried downstairs and outside, firefighters said. She was hospitalized but is now doing well, said her mother, Laurie Kiss. Kayli was with her family at the ceremonies and was able to meet the rescuers prior to the game at a private ceremony.

“We’re very grateful for all of what they did,” Lorie Kiss said. It was a humbling opportunity to meet those rescuers, Kiss said.

“All five of us were involved in the rescue,” LaValle said.

The Irwin firefighters are to be honored at the Irwin Borough Council meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 8.

This will be the second time that Irwin officials have honored Urias for heroism during a fire.

In August 2017, Urias and fellow firefighter R.J. Swenson were commended by the borough for rescuing James Gehrling from a fire at his residence above Frank & Tucci’s Tavern at 211 Oak St.