State Sen. David G. Argall (R-Berks/Schuylkill) recognized the courageous efforts of first responders at the Tilden Township Municipal Building on Nov. 29.
Argall applauded their quick, selfless actions that saved 63-year old Paul Correll Jr.’s life when his garage became engulfed in flames in Tilden Township.
“You did more than your job. You did it well. You did it at personal risk to yourselves and this family (referring to Correll’s family sitting in the audience) would be without a father if you had not done it so well,” said Argall.
“In honor of your heroic efforts in saving the life of Paul Correll Jr.,” Argall recognized Hamburg Fire Chief Troy Hatt, Hamburg firefighter Dylan Hatt, Shoemakersville Fire Chief Rusty Wagner, Shoemakersville Deputy Chief Matthew Tobias, and Tilden Township Police Sgt. Peter Witman.
“First responders doing their job under extraordinary duress and doing it very well,” said Argall. “Thank you for what you do, not just for today but everyday… We probably don’t say thank you enough.”
Paul’s family was in attendance, including his mother Betty Correll who thanked and shook hands with each of the men honored, his son Paul Correll III and his grandsons Cowen and Preston Correll.
“We’re very grateful for the response time and how professional the departments handled the situation,” said Preston.
“I thought they did a tremendous job,” added Paul Correll III. “I definitely have a new respect for firefighters. The fact that they’re volunteers, that speaks volumes of their passion for what they’re doing… Watching these guys go to work, they’re some brave, tough guys.”
“I’m just glad we were there in time to get him out,” said Tilden Police Sgt. Witman. “It was probably only a few minutes left for him in that garage.”
Hamburg Fire Chief Troy Hatt said they all worked together and did everything they could do to get Correll out of the garage. The garage doors would not open due to a loss of electricity.
“Because of the fire’s progression, we couldn’t get in the back door, we couldn’t get in through any of the windows. We had to go through the front garage door. We were able to pry it up enough to get in and get him out,” said Hatt. “As far as the recognition, I don’t believe that any of us are heroes. I believe we did our job and I believe that anybody that would have this situation handed to them would do the same thing to save a life. It doesn’t matter that we’re volunteer fireman or career fireman. It doesn’t matter. I think it’s what we need to do to keep all of us safe and work together.”
Previously in a police release, State Police Reading reported that crews responded to a report of a fire in a garage at a residence at Cheese Lane, Tilden Twp., at 7:02 p.m. on Nov. 16. Paul Correll Jr. called 911 from inside the garage to report the fire. Crews arrived and had no obvious signs of fire and heard pounding on the garage door for help. The loss of electricity prevented the garage door from opening and Correll is confined to a wheel chair.
State Police Reading reported that smoke was then visible and Fire Chief Rusty Wagner from Shoemakersville Fire Company and Fire Chief Troy Hatt from Hamburg Fire Company along with the Tilden Township Police, started to force the garage door up using pry bars, just before they were going to force the other garage door down by ramming it with a vehicle. After extricating Correll from the garage, within seconds, fire started to engulf the garage.
Correll suffered burns on his legs and smoke inhalation. He was flown to the Lehigh Valley Burn Unit.
Damage is estimated at $100,000. Red Cross is assisting the family. A cat was successfully recovered from the residence.
State Police report that the investigation concluded that the fire ignited inside the garage due to a rag being in contact with a portable light fixture. The fire has been determined to be accidental.