WELLSBURG, W.Va. --
While a Wellsburg man recovers in a Pittsburgh hospital, the crews who pulled him from his burning home are being hailed as heroes for saving his life.
Brooke County Sheriff Richard Ferguson had strong words of praise for the police officers and firefighters who risked their lives over the weekend to save the man.
The fire broke out on Pleasant Avenue Sunday afternoon. The resident, 69-year-old Mike Potts, was trapped inside when firefighters and police officers arrived at the scene.
Two of the four people who helped rescue Potts said it was a frightening experience for them, and Scott Rogerson, of the Brooke County Sheriff's Department, said getting Potts out wasn't easy.
Rogerson said crews first tried to enter through the front door, but couldn't get in. They were soon able to get inside by entering through a back door, but once inside, the rescue effort didn't get any easier.
"It was extremely scary. (There was) a lot of smoke; we couldn't breathe very well," said Sgt. Paul Downal, of the Wellsburg Police Department.
They soon found Potts, who was already wounded.
Rogerson said, "I found him laying in an entryway where he was actually laying in part of the fire, burning up his right arm, and I pulled him down part of the steps."
Rogerson said he and two firefighters then got Potts the rest of the way down the stairs and out of the house.
Potts remained hospitalized Monday, recovering from serious burns. The cause of the fire was still not known as of Monday, and a state fire marshal was investigating.
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