UPDATE: Neighbors rescue two boys from porch roof at duplex fire
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (July 13, 2023) – Firefighters say two boys were safely rescued from the porch of a duplex before it was destroyed in a blaze Wednesday evening.
Sheriff’s dispatchers say a neighbor reported the fire at about 8 p.m. in the 700 block of Southwood Drive Southwest.
Fire Captain Bert Snyder says responding firefighters were told that the boys had gone out on the roof to escape the smoke and flames. Firefighters were preparing to make the save, but neighbors had apparently already helped the boys down before the firetrucks got there. Firefighters did rescue a Pitbull from the porch roof.
There were no injuries. Snyder says no adults were home at the time.
He says firefighters then made a couple attempts at an interior attack, but the both units of the duplex were completely involved in fire and the roof was already starting to collapse at that point.
The cause was being investigated. Snyder says damage is estimated at $350,000.
Firefighters remained at the scene until almost midnight.
Photos Courtesy of Melanie Osborn.
