PARKSIDE, Penn.-- While two firefighters injured in Saturday's early-morning blaze remained in critical condition Sunday, members of the Parkside Fire. Co. and community clung to hope for the pair's recovery.
Officials said Chase Frost, a 21-year-old Widener University student, suffered burns on more than 50 percent of his body. Dan Brees, 20, of Parkside, suffered burns on 5 percent of his body along with respiratory injuries.
Both men are being treated at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. A nursing supervisor there said both men remained in the burn unit and in critical condition Sunday evening.
The Parkside Fire Co. was dispatched at 2:07 a.m. Saturday to the fire at the two-story townhouse located at 11 Park Valley Lane in the Village at Green Tree complex.
While doing a sweep for possible occupants, the second story collapsed, trapping Frost and Brees. Brees was freed within minutes. Frost, who was completely covered with building materials and furniture, was rescued in 15 minutes, said Public Information Officer Thomas Cubler.
Also suffering from minor injuries at the scene were Matt DiDomenico from Parkside Fire Co., John Curtis from Garden City Fire Co., Brad Blackman from Swarthmore Fire Co. and a police officer from Chester Township. All were treated and released, said Culber.
A day later, Parkside Fire Co. members tried to deal with the gravity of the event.
"We're getting through the initial shock of the incident," said Culber. "The next step is getting these guys healthy."
Though the two men remain in critical condition, Culber said he was optimistic about their recovery.
"Their lungs were cleared for other burns, which is really good news. Chase is responsive, he's excited when visitors come in and we actually have to tell him to relax so he can rest," Culber said.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is still under investigation, said Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Trooper Timothy Green, who is investigating the case with the assistance of the Parkside Borough Fire Marshal.
Parkside Borough Council President Tom Deitman said the support of the community has been strong.
"Obviously the fire department is still banded together to get through this tragic time, and the residents of the borough are reaching out to support them," said Deitman. "The borough government is doing whatever they can to make this difficult situation much easier on the fire company."
Culber said he also appreciated the wave of support from the community. "The support has been absolutely amazing. We've been getting phone calls, people have been bringing us food, it's just been an outpour of support," said Culber.
The 30-member department was out of service Sunday. Area fire companies assisted them.
"(Other fire companies) are covering the station. That's very nice because most of us are volunteers, so people are coming out just to help us out, which is pretty impressive," Culber said.
Words of encouragement from all over the country flowed into the guest book of the department's official Web site since word of the fire broke out. Dozens of messages from friends, relatives, emergency service workers and well-wishers fill the Web site offering prayers for the two men's speedy recovery and the fire company.
Many Park Valley Lane residents said they were also keeping the department in their thoughts.
"They're such devoted people. They always come so quickly," said Marietta Tenaglia, a neighbor who witnessed the blaze. "For them to risk their lives like that is amazing. It was sad, very sad, to see some of them get hurt."
Some 100 firefighters fought the blaze for two hours.
Assisting Parkside on the first alarm were Upland, Green Ridge, Garden City and Holmes fire companies.
After the firefighters were trapped, a second alarm was struck bringing in Lower Chichester, South Media, Newtown Square, Prospect Park, Reliance, Lima, Middletown, Swarthmore, Chester Heights, Chester City and Chester Township fire companies. Emergency medical services were provided by Parkside Fire Co. and Crozer-Chester paramedics, Aston Beechwood Fire Co. and Media Fire Co.
Republished with permission of the DelcoTimes.
