Upper Darby police saved couple from burning home
UPPER DARBY » Four police officers are being credited for saving a couple and their dog when their home was ablaze on Sunday night.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said police Sgt. Sean Kenny and officers Joseph DiFrancesco, William Sides and Anthony Bateman led the homeowners to safety while their house on the 1100 block of Alexander Avenue was on fire.
“The officers put themselves in harm’s way and quick actions saved both of their lives,” said Chitwood.
According to Chitwood the fire was called in around 9:45 p.m. as a building fire with possible entrapment. Kenny and DiFrancesco were the first officers on the scene and went around to the rear of the home. They saw a woman on the roof of a porch holding her dog. Officers found a ladder and successfully saved the woman and the dog.
Officers Sides and Bateman arrived on the scene and entered through the home’s front door where the living room area was engulfed in smoke. They noticed on the floor a man who was then pulled out to safety.
The rescued couple was treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to Delaware County Memorial Hospital for further evaluation.
The officers were also treated at the scene, but did not seek hospital care.
The dog was not injured and was taken in by a neighbor.
A number of township fire departments responded to the call which was quickly contained. Early word is that the fire started in the kitchen.
Chitwood commended his officers for putting their lives on the line. “It’s great with all of the negative publicity nationwide (toward law enforcement) it shows what they do everyday. They did a great job rescuing them,” he said.