Philadelphia, PA- A roofer and a neighbor are being hailed as heroes after helping a family escape a fast-moving house fire in Northeast Philadelphia.
The fire broke out just after 11 a.m. on the 2100 block of McKinley Street. Flames and thick smoke tore through the home, leaving it charred and waterlogged. But thanks to quick thinking and courageous action, all three residents inside made it out safely.
Matt Leader, a roofer with Cover All Exteriors of Bensalem, was finishing a job on the neighboring house when he noticed smoke coming from the basement. He alerted his client, Benny, who was the homeowner next door.
Benny began banging on the neighbor’s door, while both men grabbed garden hoses to try and fight the growing flames.
Inside the home, the father managed to get his daughter to safety. But his teenage son was still asleep upstairs as smoke rapidly filled the home.
Leader entered the smoke-filled house and started up the steps. He was met by the son coming down, who appeared to be struggling to breathe.
Once all three family members were safely out of the home, fire crews arrived to contain the blaze. The teen was transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation but is expected to be okay.
