Newtown Firefighters Rescue Woman Moments Before Flashover

LOWER MAKEFIELD, PA — Three people were saved from a fire that roared through a home in Lower Makefield on Tuesday, according to new details released by the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company.

Deputy Chief Tim Chamberlain reports that when two trash haulers saw what was happening, they entered the smoke filled house in the Farmview section of the township off of Dolington Road and helped rescue a man, his wife, and daughter.

The mother and daughter were struggling to help the father down the steps in an electric chair lift when the trash haulers came to their aid, said Chamberlain, explaining that the father was unable to walk due to an earlier foot injury. “They (the trash haulers) carried him out of the building,” he said.

Moments later, Chamberlain said the mother ran back into the house to rescue the pet dog and cat who perished in the fire.

“Two firemen from Newtown got there quick and were alerted that the mother had gone back inside so they went in, found her on the second floor kind of disoriented and guided her down the steps and got her out," said Chamberlain.

The firefighters were Michael Bradshaw and Quinnten Jones from the paid career staff at Newtown Fire Rescue.

Attacking the fire at the front door are Newtown firefighters Michael Bradshaw and Quinnten Jones. (Jeff Goldberg/Yardley-Makefield Fire Company)

“The smoke was banked down on the first and second floors and the heat was really pushing them back when they got in the front door. They had little time to get in, find her and get out,” said Chamberlain.

While they were inside, Chamberlain said a sliding glass door at the rear of the house blew out and the wind blew the fire from the back to the front of the building in a tremendous ball of fire.

“They were in there when it happened and they could feel the temperature change. That’s when they knew they had to move,” said Chamberlain. “It was fortunate that the Newtown guys got there quick and were able to get her out,” said Chamberlain. “They did an awesome job.

“For the conditions that were going on in that house, I thank God they were there to do that rescue when they did. They used their training, experience, and knowledge and did what had to be done. I can’t give them enough credit."

Chamberlain said all three occupants were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The father was released from St. Mary Medical Center on Thursday. The daughter was taken to the hospital for evaluation and was released Tuesday night, said Chamberlain.

The mother was transported to a hospital in Philadelphia where she was doing well on Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery, said Chamberlain.

About 40 firefighters were called to the scene including Yardley-Makefield, Newtown Fire Rescue, Upper Makefield, Northampton, Langhorne, Morrisville and Mercer County Engine 30.

Under the command of Yardley-Makefield Fire Chief Glen Chamberlain, it took firefighters about 40 minutes using hand lines to bring the fire under control.

“Once we got inside, they were aggressive in knocking it down. With how much fire there was, the crews worked hard to put that fire out,” said Chamberlain.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Jeff Goldberg/Yardley-Makefield Fire Company)

(Jeff Goldberg/Yardley-Makefield Fire Company)

(Jeff Goldberg/Yardley-Makefield Fire Company)

(Jeff Goldberg/Yardley-Makefield Fire Company)