KERA VERNON
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission

An elderly couple was badly hurt Saturday after jumping from a window to escape their burning home near Watsontown.


The couple is in their mid 70s. Early Saturday morning, family members said, they leaped from the second story after they realized their house was in flames.

Victor Yordy said most of his parents' 200-year-old house and what was inside was destroyed. "They had a Doberman that didn't make it out, Daisy, she died. But everything is pretty much rebuildable. It's very good my parents made it," Yordy said.

Russell Yordy, 74, and his wife, Helen, 79, were inside the house on Route 44 when it went up in flames. It happened around 5 a.m. Saturday. A smoke alarm woke them up and they escaped.

The Yordys were in their bedroom when the fire started. They had to jump from the second floor to safety.

"They walked out onto this roof. They said the tin was getting really hot so they jumped into this bush. Then my father went around got his car and picked my mother up," Victor Yordy explained.

Neighbor Barbara Hartline lives across the street. She said she was shocked to hear how the elderly couple escaped. "I would be scared to death to try to jump. I mean, I'm using a cane now. I couldn't imagine what it would be like for them. I would be scared to death," Hartline said.

The Yordys were taken to the hospital. Both suffered from smoke inhalation. Helen Yordy has some broken ribs and her husband needed stitches.

"I'm very surprised. My father is very resilient and pretty tough yet," Victor Yordy added.

Russell Yordy was treated and released from the hospital. His wife is listed in critical condition. The state police fire marshal is looking for the cause of the fire.

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