A 70-year-old Oakmont man whose home was destroyed by fire Sunday night remained hospitalized Tuesday, as did a firefighter who suffered a heart attack at the scene.
Oakmont Mayor Robert Fescemyer said commendations will be given to two police officers who rescued Jack McKalip from his burning home.
McKalip is in critical condition in UPMC Mercy hospital, Pittsburgh, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Authorities are waiting for McKalip to regain consciousness as they continue their investigation into the cause of the fire at 747 Fifth St., Allegheny County Fire Marshal Don Brucker said.
McKalip suffered smoke inhalation and is being kept sedated because he is on a breathing tube, Brucker said.
"His brother said he's a fighter," Brucker said. "That's a good thing."
Oakmont firefighter Ray Rogers Sr., 75, suffered a heart attack at the scene, Fescemyer said.
Rogers had a history of heart trouble and was recovering in UPMC Presbyterian hospital, where he received a stent, according to his son, Gary Rogers.
The elder Rogers has been a firefighter in his hometown for 52 years. He is retired from Bell Telephone.
"He was very fortunate to be in the situation he was in," the mayor said. "They transported him immediately. Otherwise, he may have been in serious trouble."
The fire started in the basement, Brucker said. It was reported about 7:20 p.m.
McKalip called 911 and said that there had been an explosion and that smoke was coming from the lower levels of the house. Neighbors said they saw smoke and flames coming from a rear kitchen window.
Brucker said he will be reviewing a recording of the 911 call.
McKalip's rescue, the firefighting effort and the investigation have been complicated because of what has been described as a great deal of clutter inside the house.
Brucker said he saw three electric space heaters in the house, including one in the basement.
He described the electrical wiring as a "nightmare."
It took firefighters more than an hour to bring the fire under control, and they were there for about six hours, fire Chief Bill Peoples said.
The house is a total loss, Peoples said.
McKalip had insurance.
There was minor damage to neighboring houses, which are packed tightly together.
Peoples commended firefighters for preventing the fire from spreading.
Patrol Officers Jim Rogerson and Shawn McNaughton were credited with saving McKalip's life by going into the burning, smoke-filled home and pulling out McKalip, who was described as disabled and in poor health.
They will be recognized, but Fescemyer did not have details of how or when.
"I'm sure we'll come up with something," he said. "We usually do when one of our officers happens to do something like that."
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
