2 Rescued From Penn Hills Fire
PENN HILLS (KDKA) - Two people were rescued from a house fire in Penn Hills early Tuesday morning.
According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out around 5 a.m. on Orin Street.
The home was heavily damaged by the fire, but there were two dramatic rescues that took place.
Carl Colussy, his children and fiancé are all safe after escaping from the flames.
"We were in bed sleeping about quarter to five this morning, smoke alarm went off," said Colussy. "I wake up and see the house full of smoke; and next thing I know, the whole house was engulfed."
With his home now an inferno, there was only one escape left for the family. Colussy, a one-time bouncer, did what he knew best.
"I'm throwing kids and stuff out the window, and trying to fight my way out of the house," said Colussy. "Trash the place to get them out."
However, he and his fiancé's son were still in peril. Out of the house, they were stuck on a roof.
"Then, the fun part is when you get out, you're on the roof like that and the whole house around you is burning," Colussy said. "Next move was to jump because the fire was coming, right behind me literally."
He and the boy would be spared jumping by Penn Hills firefighters.
"Get one crew on the fire, one crew on the rescue," said Asst. Chief Joe McMeekin, of the Penn Hills Fire Department. "Start with the rescue first, worry about the fire afterwards."
Colussy and the boy were able to escape down a ladder.
"I didn't think I could move that fast," said Colussy.
His family is safe, but they lost three cats and the home was consumed by fire.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing. The Allegheny County Fire Marshal is taking over the case.
Meanwhile, Colussy says he and his family are left with only one option, and that is to pick whatever pieces are left up and move on.
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