Fire Chief Seeks Honors for Off-Duty Watertown Firefighter's Actions

Fire Chief Mario Orangio called Deputy Fire Chief Robert Iannetta's actions, going into a burning home and saving a teenage girl, heroic and he hopes state officials will agree and give him a medal.

Iannetta was in his back yard when he smelled a fire coming from a nearby house on Standish Road and he went over to make sure no one was inside. .

Orangio told the Town Council that Iannetta did something extraordinary, and demonstrated how quickly a fire can engulf a home by showing a video similar to this one. Within four minutes, a two-story, home can be filled with smoke.

"If you didn't believe it before, what Deputy Iannetta did was heroic," Orangio said.

Town Council President Mark Sideris said Iannetta reacted quickly despite not being suited up for a fire.

"I commend off-duty firefighter for going in without any equipment, with nothing but his instincts," Sideris said.

Details of Iannetta's actions will be sent to the state group that hands out the awards, Orangio said.

"He will get something from the (Watertown Fire) Department," Orangio said. "And we'll will pass on the information to the state."

Other Watertown have been honored for their bravery, Orangio said. This year, three firefighters – Watertown Fire Lt. Frank Aliquo (now retired) and firefighters Michael Anastasi and David Meagher – were for convincing a man not to commit suicide. Previously, Fire Lt. Tom Thibaut was honored after he went into a burning home to save a resident, Orangio said.

The cause of the fire that caused $50,000 in damages to the home on Standish Road was a cigarette that was improperly disposed of, that ignited some vegatation up against the house, according to Deputy Fire Chief Robert Quinn.