Moorestown Honors Heroes Who Saved Community House During Fire

Moorestown, NJ -- The actions of a Good Samaritan helped the Moorestown Community House survive what could have been a deadly fire last month.

Eric Tieniber was driving on Main Street when he saw smoke coming out of the roof of the east wing of the Community House on Nov. 17.

Tieniber ran into the burning building to alert the staff and the guests inside the building, who were unaware of what was happening. He then called 9-1-1 and helped evacuate approximately 40 people who were in the building at the time of the fire.

No one was injured in the fire, and the Community House is operational.

He was among the people recognized for their heroic acts during the Moorestown Council meeting Monday night at town hall.

The following is a list of all first responders honored, broken down by agency, provided by the Township of Moorestown:

Moorestown Police Department: Sergeant Richard Gunning, Patrolman George Hubel, Patrolman Craig Ruggiano, Patrolman Chris Menges, Patrolman Kevin Sloan, and Class II/SLEO II Brian Rust.

Moorestown Relief Engine Company Volunteers: Zackery Booth, Richard Booth, Jr., Christopher Chesner, Peter Clifford, Jeff Gullo, Joshua Hall, Christopher Konzelmann, David Mann, Samuel Schlindwein, Jonathan Schweicker, Luke Stewart, Jeffrey Tait, Max Fisher, James Plagge, Daniel Wantrobski, and Jason Witkowski.

Lenola Volunteer Fire Company: Robert Grant, Matthew Orsini, Tom DiPaolo, Ken Sterling, Bill Ruggiano, Jim Carruthers, Brian Bluemke Jr., Joseph Emilio, Amanda Grant, Bill Hafner, Will Leister, Glenn Daily, Ray Finkbinder, Jenna Grant, Alex Humes, Alex Thompson, Bryen Tomlin and Tom Bragg.

Moorestown Hose Company No. 1 Volunteers: Nicholas Brandimarto, II, Peter Bowman, David Chesem, Dave Constantine Jr., Jeffrey Dever, David Erickson, Joseph Giorgi, III, Carl Githens, Jr., Brendan Maul, Andrew Murray, Peter Phillips, John Santaspirt, Edgar Thomas, II, Matthew Walsh, James West, Maxwell Young, Jeffrey Young and Anthony Green.

Moorestown and Lenola Emergency Service Volunteers: Dan Sheilds, Joe Sheilds, Dawn Lepek, Laura Dye, Mike Richards, Jennifer Aspinall, Angelo Petinga, James Plagge, Andrew O’Donnell, Leslie O’Donnell and John Quigg.

Cinnaminson Fire Department Volunteers: Scott Stavely, Paul McDonough, Matt Deeney, Joseph Maduzia, Matt Kilmer and Matt Geiger.

Delran Fire Department Volunteers: Joseph Cunningham, Sr., Scott Seybert, Dan Bard, Josh Briggs, Kevin Briggs, Karl Burrows, Chris Lutz, John Matzer, Dean Miller, Melvin McCloskey and Chris Taranto.

Evesham Fire Department Volunteers: John Behnke, Matt Hempel, Doug Borgstrom, Jim Heisler and Ken Peyre-Ferry.

Mount Laurel Fire Department Volunteers: John M. Colucci, Christopher Burnett, Daniel J. Opizzi, Mark D. Jenkins, Robert Haas, Mario R. Scullan, Charles M. Vanselous, Ryan L. Chenier, and Harvey H. Davis.

Palmyra Fire Department Volunteers: Michael Stokes, Dale Palmer, Edward Duba, Anthony De Franco and Brian Cattell.

Riverton Fire Department Volunteers: Scott Reed, Dan Baker, Tyler Chrupcala, Andrew Einstein, Eric Fyler and Tom Moorhouse.

Willingboro Fire Department Volunteers: Ken Sitzenstock, Matthew Ferrell, James Rydarowski and Michael Centrone.

Council also authorized a $2,750 donation toward the rehabilitation of the Community House. The donation is the money the township would’ve paid for the use of the Community House for its annual Boards and Committees dinner that was canceled in the wake of the fire earlier this month.

Pictured: Eric Tieniber is honored by Moorestown Mayor Victoria Napolitano