Feb. 21--BATH -- Firefighters from Bath conducted a daring rescue of a father and his 4-year-old son, who became trapped Thursday afternoon in a burning building on South Street.
Bath Fire Department Capt. Chris Cummings, Fire Chief Steve Hinds, and firefighter Joe McCole were among the first firefighters to arrive at the burning building, located at 62 South Street in the city's south end neighborhood.
Cummings said the father and son had become trapped inside a third floor living area which had filled with dark, brown smoke by the time crews arrived.
The firefighters decided to use an extension ladder -- the same type of ladder that someone would keep at their home -- instead of the 110-foot ladder that is attached to the fire truck. Cummings said the fire truck ladder would have taken longer to place in position than a hand held ladder.
"We didn't want to wait. Their lives were in jeopardy. We made a judgment call," Cummings explained.
McCole scrambled up the extension ladder and climbed onto a roof overhang. The father, 37-year-old John Tanguay carried his son, 4-year-old Nicholas Tanguay, out of the burning home and handed the boy to McCole. McCole then helped the boy onto the ladder where Cummings guided the child to safety.
Once on the ground, Cummings picked up the boy and carried him to a waiting ambulance. Father and son were transported to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick where they were treated for smoke inhalation. Cummings said he expected the Tanguays to be released from the hospital.
However, several cats, a dog and pet bird died in the fire. The home sustained extensive smoke and fire damage.
"The dad did a remarkable job," Cummings said. "He remained calm and didn't panic."
Scott Doyle, a captain with the New Gloucester Fire Department, praised Bath firefighters for their courage and initiative.
"Bath firefighters performed one of the most heroic things a firefighter can do ... It brought tears to my eyes," said Doyle, who filmed portions of the rescue with his cell phone.
Doyle coincidentally had been at Bath's Central Fire Station -- he was meeting with a captain about a fire training matter -- when the fire call came in about 3:30 p.m. Doyle is New Gloucester's public safety training officer and he travels around the state conducting training sessions.
Doyle drove his own truck to the South Street home where he helped crews handle a fire hose.
Doyle said he could see dark brown smoke pouring out of a third-floor window. Doyle said he also saw flames shooting out of a window in the residence.
An investigator from the State Fire Marshal's Office was called in to investigate the cause of the fire, which remains unknown.
Firefighters said the fire appears to have started in a first floor kitchen area.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
Copyright 2014 - Portland Press Herald, Maine
