Man, 97, Rescued By Hatboro Police In Thanksgiving House Fire

HATBORO, PA —Fire officials are investigating the cause of a Fairview Avenue house fire early Thursday morning in which police officers burst into the home and rescued a 97-year-old man.

On Thursday, at 3:26 a.m., the Hatboro Police Department and Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro were dispatched to the 100 block of Fairview Avenue for a report of a house fire.

An observant newspaper delivery driver contacted 9-1-1 after seeing flames coming from a second story window of the residence, police said.

Police officers arrived on scene one minute later and reported heavy smoke coming from the home.

Upon arrival, Sgt. Aaron Simon and Officer Robert McMahon made a forcible entry into the home through a rear door.

After entering, Sgt. Simon and Officer McMahon began yelling to alert any occupants of the fire and made their way to the second floor of the residence where they encountered heavy smoke.

They continued to yell and were successful in gaining the attention of the homeowner, a 97-year-old male, who was asleep in his bedroom and unaware his home was on fire.

Battling heavy smoke, Sgt. Simon and Officer McMahon proceeded to carry the man out of the home to safety. He was subsequently transported to Jefferson Abington Hospital for evaluation and treatment by Second Alarmers Rescue Squad.

Watch the body cam video obtained by Action News 6.

The Enterprise Fire company was assisted in their firefighting efforts by numerous local fire companies including Warminster, Horsham, Warrington, Upper Moreland, Bryn Athyn, Willow Grove, Hartsville, Abington, Wissahickon and Ft. Washington. Enterprise Fire Chief Alfred Zollers reported the fire under control at 4:02 a.m., police said.

Initial investigation revealed the fire started in a back bedroom on the second floor of the home. The Fire Marshal is investigating.

The bedroom where the fire began was adjacent to the bedroom the homeowner was asleep in. The cause of the fire is undetermined currently but remains under investigation. As a result of the fire the house suffered significant damage to the second floor and heavy smoke damage throughout.

Due to the observant citizen who contacted 911 and the heroic actions of Sgt. Simon and Officer McMahon, a local family will be celebrating Thanksgiving with their father/grandfather today rather than mourning a tragic loss.