Kids & Family

Avenel-Colonia EMTs to be Commended for Measures in Avenel Fire

The squad wishes to recognize two EMTs who they say acted above and beyond at the scene of the fire to keep the children safe.

Two EMTs will receive commendations for their efforts during a Thursday night house fire in Avenel.

At 8:10 p.m. Thursday, a call came in for a house fire on Cornell Street in Avenel. The Avenel-Colonia First Aid Squad is located a few blocks away on Avenel Street, and as a result, was first on the scene, according to squad chief Robert Snowfield.

When they arrived on the scene, a young child, one of the residents of the house, was running around in the street in a panic, and was in danger of being struck by emergency response vehicles, he said.

Squad member Ashley Accardo pulled the child out of the road and out of danger's path, Snowfield said.

Another squad member, Kristian Geary, came to the aid of the children again by pulling back one of the children who attempted to run back into the burning house to save a pet cat, Snowfield said.

Had the child gone back in, the situation could have turned grave, Snowfield said.

"(Because of the) quick response from the crew, they were able to save those kids' lives from any further danger," Snowfield said.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found the cat unharmed in the basement of the house, he said. 

The fire destroyed the home, but the children and their family were not injured. The mayor's office has coordinated a community effort to assist the family, and has put a call out for donations. 

The town EMTs will be recognized with official commendations in the near future, Snowfield said. 


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