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First responders who rushed to help residents in Carnegie fire speak out

First responders saved the lives of several people from the fire at Papa J's in Carnegie Friday night.

RELATED: One dead after massive fire tears through Carnegie building

"I start setting the truck up with Steve and then the next thing people start yelling there's someone up on the third floor," said Lt. Dave Murray of the Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department.

"There were two people who were sleeping that didn't know what was going on. I told them grab what you can and let's get out," Peterson said.

The two men insist they were just doing their jobs Friday night when a massive fire broke out inside this Carnegie building, but others say they heroically saved lives.

It started with Peterson, who was on patrol nearby. He immediately ran into the building to the upstairs apartments.

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"The stove is on fire, the ceiling is starting to catch and in front of the fridge is starting to produce flames as well. At that moment, I said, I have to go get everyone out,” Peterson said.

He evacuated half a dozen people.

Minutes later, Murray was on-scene rescuing a man from a third-floor window. A witness captured it on cell phone.

"I got him. Let's get him down to the ground so EMS can check him out,” Murray.

The fire did claim the life of one man, Mike Wells, who worked in the building, but countless more could have been victims if not for the quick, selfless actions of Peterson and Murray.

Channel 11 asked, “A lot of people are saying you guys are heroes. What's it like to hear that?”

"I'm kind of embarrassed by it. I did nothing more or nothing less than any of these firefighters or first responders would have done," Murray said.

Here's how you can help the victims of the fire:

  • Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department is accepting furniture donations for fire victims
  • Local PNC banks are accepting donations under the Carnegie Borough Victim Relief
  • GoFundMe page
 

Cox Media Group

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