At 4:40 a.m. Thursday, Officer Sean Peck of the Penndel Borough Police Department observed flames on West Woodland Avenue and entered a burning home to rescue eight residents, officials said.
The Fire and Response
The blaze began around 4:55 a.m. when several Bensalem-based fire companies joined the Penndel Volunteer Fire Company to fight the flames that tore through a home on the unit block of West Woodland Avenue. As firefighters approached, they encountered “hoarding conditions” that forced them into a defensive mode, according to local officials. These conditions made it difficult for crews to enter the structure safely.
Rescue Efforts
Peck entered the home despite the fire and heavy smoke conditions, a decision that allowed him to help eight individuals exit the property. Chief Sean Perry of the Penndel Borough Police Department praised Peck’s quick action, saying “his immediate response prevented what could have been a tragic loss of life.” Thanks to Peck’s actions, no one in the home was harmed.
Community and Official Reactions
NBC10’s Lili Zheng spoke to Justin Ritorto, a neighbor who saw the fire on his way to the gym. Ritorto recalled that he was banging on windows of the home to wake the occupants when Peck arrived. He said, “It was raging. It like, I think, if I was there 10 minutes later, it would have been bad.”
At the scene, Deputy Chief Sam Simon of the Penndel Volunteer Fire Company reported that adults and children were rescued from the home. He also mentioned pets, saying, “I know there were some pets, they were concerned about some rabbits and such,” and added, “We don’t know if they survived. Most likely not.”
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
As crews worked to extinguish the fire, Bellevue Avenue between Hulmeville Avenue and Business Route 1, as well as Business Route 1 at Center Avenue, were closed. The Red Cross said it was supporting nine people displaced by the morning fire. Fire officials have not yet determined how the fire started, and an investigation is ongoing.
NBC10 is working to learn more about the incident and will update the story as new information becomes available.
Key Takeaways
- Officer Sean Peck rescued eight residents from a home fire at 4:40 a.m. on Thursday.
- Firefighters encountered hoarding conditions that forced them into a defensive mode.
- The Red Cross is aiding nine displaced individuals, and an investigation into the fire’s cause is underway.
The incident highlights the importance of swift emergency response and community cooperation in the face of sudden disasters.
