An 82-year-old man in Gloucester, Massachusetts, narrowly escaped a potentially fatal fire that broke out in his garage while he was working on a custom car. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. and resulted in billowing smoke and flames that could be seen from the Marina Drive neighborhood. Fortunately, the quick actions of a neighbor, who happened to be an off-duty police officer, saved the man’s life.
According to the man’s daughter, Danielle Pratl, her father would not have survived if it weren’t for the heroic efforts of the neighbor. The neighbor heard the explosion and immediately rushed to the scene, managing to drag the elderly man to safety. Pratl expressed her gratitude, stating, “It’s an absolute miracle that he’s alive.”
Cell phone footage captured the emergency response, with firefighters rushing to pour water on the house. The aftermath of the fire, as shown by SKY7-HD, revealed significant damage to part of the home. Pratl revealed that her father had recently retired after owning an auto repair shop for 50 years and was in the process of fixing up his car when the incident occurred.
Gloucester’s fire chief, Eric Smith, provided insights into the cause of the fire. Smith mentioned that there were flammable containers and oxygen tanks inside the garage, which eventually exploded. These containers and tanks were legitimate stored flammables and gases that ignited, causing a mass release and fireball. Smith praised the efforts of the firefighters, who were able to fully control the fire by approximately 11:20 a.m. Although the garage suffered severe damage, the rest of the house was saved thanks to the quick response.
Smith speculated that the cause of the fire was accidental, likely due to either the man’s welding operation or an equipment failure, or possibly both. By 4 p.m., the damaged garage had been boarded up, but the focus of the family remained on the injured man’s well-being. Pratl emphasized her father’s resilience, stating that he is a fighter with a high tolerance for pain and that he shakes things off easily.
The injured man was taken to Beverly Hospital, where he received treatment for a small burn on his finger and a cut on his arm. Fortunately, he was released shortly after. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions while working with flammable materials, such as proper storage and preventive measures to avoid accidents.
Overall, this incident highlights the significance of community and the impact of quick thinking during emergencies. The actions of the off-duty police officer neighbor undoubtedly saved a life and demonstrated the power of human compassion and bravery in the face of danger.
