Scranton Postal Worker Credited With Preventing Tragedy

West Scranton, Lackawanna County - People who live in a West Scranton neighborhood are crediting a postal worker for preventing a house fire Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to a home in the 200-block of 4th Avenue just before 2:00 PM after the mailman heard a smoke alarm and took action.

With the home locked-up, Scranton firefighters pried open a window on the second floor of the home.

Eyewitnesses say the postal worker jumped into action after hearing the smoke alarm. He asked Laverne Schmidt to call 911.

"I came out to pick the mail up and Bob came over and asked me to call the police because the smoke alarm was going off in that house," Schmidt said.

Once inside, firefighters discovered a pot still on the stove and the home was filling with smoke.

Firefighters say the quick actions of the postal employee helped prevent a potentially big problem.

"The fact that we were here early, able to get into the building, we possibly averted a tragedy, the whole house being involved in fire so the fact that he reported it was very good," Assistant Fire Chief Jim Floryshak said.

Jerry Adrey just bought the neighboring home to the one that filled with smoke. He is happy the mailman took action.

"I'm glad the mailman did something about it. There's not too many people like that now-a-days," Adrey said. "They'd let it go and next thing you now, they'd be out a house and we'd be out a house."

Eyewitnesses say the mailman also banged on the door to see if anyone was home before asking for help.

"What can I say? He's a hero. He saved the guy's house," Schmidt said.

The mailman talked with Eyewitness News at the scene. He declined to be interviewed and simply said he was doing his job. After contacting the United States Postal Service, a spokesman identified the mailman as Bob Schmidt. They say it was his regular route.