​Newtown Hardware House Employee Commended For Averting A Disaster

NEWTOWN, PA — An employee from the Newtown Hardware House is being praised for helping to avert a disaster after a fire broke out in an upstairs apartment.

“We had an apartment fire at the Newtown Hardware House and with the quick action of an employee he was able to contain that fire to the kitchen area,” Newtown Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth reported at Wednesday night’s borough council meeting.

After smelling smoke and hearing fire alarms ring out, Alex grabbed a fire extinguisher and went upstairs into the smoke, the Newtown Hardware House reported on social media. Once he was in the apartment he made quick use of the extinguisher and then went right to getting the tenants out to safety.

“I speak for all of us at Newtown Hardware when I say thank you Alex. Your bravery and quick thinking was crucial during this dangerous situation. We’re all proud of you,” the Hardware House wrote.

The owners also commended the Newtown firefighters who quickly responded to the scene.

“Newtown's first responders were very fast to show up on the scene and make sure the fire was out and everyone was safe. We thank them for their service, speed, and professionalism.”

Forsyth said with the help of the employee “we were successful in containing this fire to just the kitchen area … If he hadn’t been there with a fire extinguisher accessible, we could have been looking at a disaster in that block of State Street.”

“He did a great thing,” added Police Chief James Sabath. “The resident came down frantic. They had suffered some burns. And he quickly ran up the steps with a fire extinguisher and was able to extinguish the fire. It was quite the act. He was quite the hero that day.”

The Hardware House has been in continuous operation at the same location since its establishment in 1869.