Rugby player thankful for assist
Says roommate, firefighter helped get him out of smoke-filled residence
The University at Albany rugby player treated for smoke inhalation following Sunday’s inferno that consumed two student residences credits quick action by a roommate and firefighter for saving his life.
Andrew Umbria, 21, was sleeping when a roommate alerted him to the blaze ravaging their two-story house at 489 Hudson Ave. early Sunday morning.
Seymour Yarovoy banged on Umbria’s door on the ground floor.
“He came into my room to tell me to get up, the house was on fire and to follow him,” Umbria said. “I don’t remember what followed, but I am told I took a big gulp of smoke and became disoriented.”
Umbria went back to his room to lie down. Yarovoy realized his pal wasn’t beside him and tried to run back into the home that he shared with six teammates.
A firefighter ultimately assisted Umbria out while Seymour ran to the next house, where the flames had spread.
Umbria regained his senses once he got outside.
Paramedics said he needed to be transported to Albany Medical Center.
“At first, I didn’t think I needed to,” Umbria said. “But I was told that if I was in the house for five more minutes, I’d be brain-damaged.”
Umbria was transported to Albany Medical Center before being airlifted to Westchester Medical Center’s Trauma and Burn Center, where he remained until his discharge on Wednesday.
While hospitalized, the rising senior was placed under intubation for what he estimated was 30 hours to filter poisonous residue out of his lungs. He was also treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Now Umbria is on the mend.
The neighboring residence, which was heavily damaged, housed eight students from the University at Albany and the College of Saint Rose.
Teammate Gavin Demilio, who wasn’t at home at the time of the blaze, hailed Yarovoy for his quick thinking.
“(Yarovoy) really put himself on the line for all of us and I know all of us would have done the same,” Demilio said. “We’re not just friends — we’re brothers.”
Yarovoy said it was simply instinct to save his pal and alert the girls next door.
“(Umbria) is my best friend in the world,” Yarovoy said, “and I got a lot of love for the girls next door.”
Altogether, 15 students were displaced. Online crowdfunding is under way, joining several other efforts, including events at Washington Tavern and Madison’s Pub.
University at Albany graduate Gabriella Asher has been coordinating fundraising efforts.
“(The rugby team) was always very kind to me and it’s a real shame what happened,” she said.
Albany Fire Department Chief Joseph W. Gregory downplayed the department’s heroism.
“Their choice for how to attack the fire made all the difference,” Gregory said. “This was a well-orchestrated and well-coordinated attack on that fire.”
The cause remains under investigation, Gregory said on Wednesday.