Staff writer
sbeveridge@observer-reporter.com
A resident of a Washington group home for the mentally ill was severely burned, and three city police officers were injured Thursday while rescuing her from a fire in her bedroom.
Melanie Marody, 18, was taken to Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, after being burned on the arms and head in the fire that erupted shortly after noon at 910 E. Maiden St., said a spokeswoman for Mental Health-Mental Retardation of Washington County.
A hospital spokeswoman said Marody was in critical condition Thursday night.
"Two officers risked their lives ... with a total disregard for their own safety," said city police Lt. Kevin Brown.
State police fire marshals were investigating the cause of the blaze Thursday afternoon, city police said. A state police forensics unit also was investigating. Foul play was not suspected, police Detective Lt. Dan Stanek said.
West Finley Township firefighter Mary Shook was driving past the home operated by Residential Recovery Services when she saw flames shooting from a turret at one side of the Victorian mansion.
By the time she reached the door, city police Cpl. Mike Sulerud and Sgt. Robert Lemons had arrived and were preparing to enter the three-story frame house.
Sulerud, Lemons and another Washington police officer, Patrolman Todd Foreman, were later treated at Washington Hospital for smoke inhalation. All three officers were released that afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said. City firefighter Jerry Coleman also was involved in the rescue.
"They were yelling, 'Someone's entrapped,' Shook said. "There was lots of smoke; long, wide flames. We have no gear," she said after the fire was quickly brought under control. "We have no gear. What do we do? It brought tears to the eyes."
Two staff members and five residents were inside the house when it caught fire, said Karry Riddell, chief operations officer for the agency. She declined to identify the residents, citing confidentiality.
Staff member Lillian Spear said the injured resident was alone in her room with the door locked when the fire was discovered.
"The smoke was so thick we could not get in," Spear said.
The fire came just two weeks after three residents and two staff members of another group home for the mentally ill that is overseen by the county were killed in a vehicle accident in nearby Somerset Township.
"It's been very difficult, shocking," Riddell said.
The house on East Maiden had just been inspected by the city for fire safety, and "it passed with flying colors," city firefighter George McMullen said.
The fire caused extensive damage to the second-floor bedroom and smoke damage throughout the second floor. The first floor also sustained water damage, city fire Chief Linn Brookman said.
"We go about (fires) like a crime scene," Stanek said. "That doesn't necessarily mean that it is. ... We like to have our ducks in a row."
Arrangements were being made to find accommodations for the four displaced residents at other group homes in the area, Riddell said. She said the American Red Cross was asked to help with providing cots and blankets.
County Editor Linda Ritzer contributed to this report.