70-Year-Old Pennsylvania Veteran Hailed a Hero After Pulling Neighbor From House Fire
A Pennsylvania Marine Corps veteran is being hailed a hero after he saved his neighbor from a house fire on the morning of March 15 in Norristown. On Monday around 10 a.m. 70-year-old James Johnson was on his way home from the bank when he noticed the flames. Johnson called 911 then jumped into action to save his neighbor. The Norristown Fire Department called Johnson a hero and a “remarkable man” in a Facebook post.
“The Norristown Fire Department salutes Mr. Johnson for his service to our country and our community,” the statement said.
Despite Johnson lung issues, he and two boys kicked down the door of the neighbor’s home and rescued a man on the second floor.
“Mr. Johnson then went up the steps and found a man on fire. He grabbed the man around the waist and brought him down the steps and outside, where they used a blanket to put the fire out on the man,” the fire department said.
“He was on fire! I said, ‘We got to get him out quick!’ I drug him down the stairs, brought him outside and I’m just putting the fire out in his hair,” Johnson said. Johnson wasn’t wearing any protective gear at the time and told WPVI it wasn’t concerned about it in the moment.
“I worried about saving a life,” Johnson said. Not long after the fire department arrived and extinguished the flames. Johnson’s neighbor was flown to a burn unit at a hospital.
“The modest Mr. Johnson, Marine Corps Veteran, said it was just instinct that kicked in and he did what he had to do,” the department said. Judge Gregory Scott who is also a Norristown firefighter, presented Johnson with a certificate for his heroism.
“I appreciate you so much,” Scott told Johnson.
At this time the condition of the man taken to the hospital is unknown. “I’m worried to see how the man is, but I think he’s going to be OK,” Johnson said.
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