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Mother, 4-Year Old Son Jump To Escape Pennsylvania House Fire
SOFIA OJEDA
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
A mother's daring decision saved her life and the life or her four-year- old son. Both escaped from their burning home in Lackawanna County.
The mother tossed her child out of the second-floor window, and then jumped herself.
The fire chief said the fire broke out just after 9 a.m. Tuesday in Simpson. As soon as it did, the whole house was full of flames.
The chief said the only two people inside the home at the time made it out okay, but not without the help of a few good Samaritans.
Flames and smoke could been seen spewing out of the house on Main Street. Several fire companies responded and fire officials said it took almost half an hour to get the flames under control.
"It was bad. It was unreal. It was all this smoke coming out, so scary," said Debbie Cohawitz, who helped the fire victims.
The Fell Township fire chief said there were two people inside the house when the fire started, a mother, and her four-year-old son. They were on the second floor.
Cohawitz works across the street at Gentex, and was outside for her break when she looked up and saw the unthinkable.
Cohawitz said through the smoke and flames she could see the mother and child sticking out of a second-floor window. Another Gentex worker came over to help, and that is when the mother threw down her son.
The fire chief said the second worker caught the child in his arms. The mother then jumped. Both suffered only minor injuries.
The little boy's father, who also lives in the house, was not home at the time.
Officials said the house was severely damaged. The parents and child are now getting help from the American Red Cross.
"I have volunteers assessing their needs. We'll provide for immediate needs, food clothing and shelter," said Brian Wrightson of the Red Cross.
A family member tells us the mother and her son are recovering at Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale. The mother suffered a hip injury after jumping to safety, while her son was not seriously hurt. The family said both are expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday night.
Copyright © 2011, WNEP-TV
WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
A mother's daring decision saved her life and the life or her four-year- old son. Both escaped from their burning home in Lackawanna County.
The mother tossed her child out of the second-floor window, and then jumped herself.
The fire chief said the fire broke out just after 9 a.m. Tuesday in Simpson. As soon as it did, the whole house was full of flames.
The chief said the only two people inside the home at the time made it out okay, but not without the help of a few good Samaritans.
Flames and smoke could been seen spewing out of the house on Main Street. Several fire companies responded and fire officials said it took almost half an hour to get the flames under control.
"It was bad. It was unreal. It was all this smoke coming out, so scary," said Debbie Cohawitz, who helped the fire victims.
The Fell Township fire chief said there were two people inside the house when the fire started, a mother, and her four-year-old son. They were on the second floor.
Cohawitz works across the street at Gentex, and was outside for her break when she looked up and saw the unthinkable.
Cohawitz said through the smoke and flames she could see the mother and child sticking out of a second-floor window. Another Gentex worker came over to help, and that is when the mother threw down her son.
The fire chief said the second worker caught the child in his arms. The mother then jumped. Both suffered only minor injuries.
The little boy's father, who also lives in the house, was not home at the time.
Officials said the house was severely damaged. The parents and child are now getting help from the American Red Cross.
"I have volunteers assessing their needs. We'll provide for immediate needs, food clothing and shelter," said Brian Wrightson of the Red Cross.
A family member tells us the mother and her son are recovering at Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale. The mother suffered a hip injury after jumping to safety, while her son was not seriously hurt. The family said both are expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday night.
Copyright © 2011, WNEP-TV
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