When a fire broke out last month on Point Circle Drive in the Turnpike Gardens area of Monroeville, residents and firefighters got help from an unexpected person — the area's mail carrier.
“I never had a fear of jumping into the moment,” said Steven Wolfram, 60. “I know everyone — I was just concerned.”
Wolfram was delivering mail on April 20 when he saw smoke coming from one of the houses he delivers to. He said he immediately ran over to the smoke and saw the homeowner trying to extinguish the fire with a garden hose.
Wolfram said he knew that wasn't going to put out the brush fire, which was spreading and nearing a shed.
“I immediately called 911,” Wolfram said. “I know what wind and fire can do.”
Monroeville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 5 and Monroeville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 4 responded. Once the fire departments got to the scene, Wolfram wasn't going anywhere because his mail truck was blocked in by the fire trucks.
So, he started pitching in.
“He started dragging hose,” said No. 5 Chief Ron Harvey. “You get a lot of bystanders, but you don't get very many people who step up to the plate and see that there's some help that needs done.”
Harvey said it was a nice change to see someone helping out, which he said is pretty unusual. He said even something as small as bringing water to firefighters can make a difference.
He said that as long as people don't get in the way, the fire departments welcome the help.
“To ask is always a very nice thing,” Harvey said.
Calls to No. 4 for comment were not immediately returned.
Wolfram said he was just doing what he felt to be the right thing. He said he knows everyone on his mail route, which he has been on for 11 years. He described them as “some of the greatest people.”
He said he has always admired what firefighters and police do and jumped at the chance to help them out.
“My heart's too big for my body,” Wolfram said. “I'm just glad things went the way they did — thank God nobody got hurt.”
Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. She can be reached at 412-871-2369 or [email protected].
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