Homestead honors first responders in business district blaze
Homestead council on Thursday recognized some of the police officers and firefighters who responded to a blaze that destroyed several buildings in the borough's business district in January.
Though they represented only a handful of the first responders who were called to the fire, which was ruled an arson, Homestead Mayor Betty Esper said the honorees deserved recognition for showing heroism and bravery “above and beyond the call of duty.”
In the case of the men honored, the mayor said it was not a case of their wanting to be heroes, “but sometimes we are called to be heroes.”
The mayor said the fire, which started in the Concepts Uniform building at 237 E. Eighth Ave. and quickly spread to others nearby, put first responders to the test.
Crews who arrived at the early morning fire at first were turned back by intense smoke and heat as they fought their way to the second floor of the building. They had to use ladders to rescue residents who were trapped on the second and third floors.
Renee Gudukas was one of them.
“I was afraid. I was overcome by smoke,” said Gudukas, who was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. “I stuck my head out the window.”
She said Homestead deputy fire Chief Ronald Kalupson, who was among those honored, saved her life by carrying her down a ladder.
“Their bravery was just unimaginable,” she said. “You couldn't imagine just how fast it happened.”
Others from the Homestead fire department who were recognized were Chief Jim Barca and firefighters Justin Galvin, Tyler Magyar and Carl Cordero Jr.
Honored as well were Homestead police Officers James Wintruba and Patrick Swindell, West Homestead police Officer James Caterino and Munhall police Officer David Smoley.
Smoley said he appreciated the recognition from the neighboring borough.
“We're all basically one,” he said, adding when an emergency happens in the three boroughs that form the Steel Valley, “We'll drop everything. We all work together and cross the lines between the communities.”
Caterino agreed.
“I think it's better than in the bigger cities because we have the guys when we're needed,” he said.
Esper said she appreciates how the departments pull together in times of need.
“We're proud of the Steel Valley (police and firefighters) because they do work together,” Esper said.
The fire drew a response from 22 local fire departments.
On the day of the fire, Edward T. McDonald, who lived in the Concepts Uniform building, told investigators he started the blaze in response to voices in his head. He was charged with arson. He is receiving treatment at Torrance State Hospital in Westmoreland County.
Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
