https://archive.triblive.com/news/man-dog-rescued-from-burning-building-in-downtown-charleroi/
Man, dog rescued from burning building in downtown Charleroi
A Charleroi man was rescued from his top-floor apartment during a fire Tuesday above the former MD Bar in Charleroi.
The fire, which began on the second floor of the three-story building at 731 McKean Ave., was quickly extinguished.
Charleroi fire Chief Bob Whiten Jr. said a state police fire marshal will investigate the cause.
The first floor now houses the offices of Thorpe's Reconditioned Appliances and Repair. Apartments are located on the second and third floors.
Whiten said the fire appeared to start in the rear of the second-story apartment.
The chief said he called in numerous fire companies to rotate firefighters in and out of the building because of the warm weather conditions.
In addition to Charleroi, firefighters responded from Lock No. Four, Stockdale, Fallowfield Township, Belle Vernon, Stockdale, Rostraver Central, New Eagle, Valley Inn, Bentleyville, Monessen No. 1 and Monessen Hilltop.
Jim Costantino, Davies Ford sales manager, said he saw a heavy smoke from behind the building, which is located across from his business. He saw flames from the second floor as he was calling 911.
“They responded quickly,” Costantino said. “I've got a newfound respect for firefighters. They do a heck of a job.”
Lock No. Four Volunteer Fire Co. First Lt. Chuck Pergola was in Charleroi when the 8:12 p.m. alarm sounded and went to the scene. He saw Bob Thorpe on the third-floor balcony porch.
“When I got on the scene, there was smoke and flames,” Pergola said. “Then I heard someone yelling. He was yelling, ‘Get me the hell down!'”
Pergola said he assured Thorpe that firefighters were on the scene.
A Charleroi ladder truck arrived soon after, and Pergola brought Thorpe and his dog down to safety.
Bob Thorpe, brother of Chris Thorpe, owner of the former bar, said he tried to exit the building. He was pushed back by smoke on the second floor.
“The only thing I got out with was my dog,” Thorpe said. “I wasn't leaving him.”
Thorpe, who was sleeping when the fire broke out, said he was the lone person in the building at the time.
Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at cbuckley@tribweb.com or 724-684-2642.
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